Betula Betula, L.

4. B. nana L. View in CoL , Sp. Pl. 953 (1753).

Dwarf shrub rarely more than 1 m, with spreading or procumbent branches; twigs and mature leaves glabrous. Leaves 5-15 mm, more or less orbicular, deeply crenate, thick in texture. Fruiting catkin 5-10 mm, erect; scales with 3 equal erect lobes at apex; wing of fruit very narrow, c. I as wide as nutlet. 2« = 28. Moorland and bogs. N. & C. Europe, from the Arctic southwards to the N. Alps, E. Carpathians and C. Russia; local and mainly on mountains in the southern part of its range. Au Br Cz Fe Ga Ge He Is No Po Rm Rs (N, B, C) Sb Su.

Hybrids of 3 and 4 inter se and with 1 and 2 are all recorded. B. sukaczewii Soczava , Oc. Fitosoc. Fitogeog. 393 (1929), described from N. Ural, is apparently 4 x 2 (c).