Betula Betula, Ehrh.

2. B. pubescens Ehrh. View in CoL , Beitr. Naturk. 6: 98 (1791).

Like 1 but small tree or shrub 1 -20 m; bark brownish or greyish, not dissected into rectangular bosses; young twigs without resin-glands, not or only slightly pendent; leaves coarsely serrate, usually pubescent at least in axils of veins beneath; scales with slightly ascending lateral lobes and narrowly oblong or triangular-lanceolate median lobe; fruit with wing 1-11 times as wide as ovoid nutlet; apex of nutlet minutely puberulent. 2« = 56 (all subspecies). Locally dominant on poor, acid, especially peaty, soils of moorland and mountains, forming extensive woodland or scrub in N. Europe. Throughout N. & C. Europe, northwards to 71 ° N., and locally on mountains southwards from 47° N. to C. Spain and Jugoslavia (Crna Gora). Au Be Br Cz Da Fe Ga Ge Hb He Hs Hu Is It Ju Lu No Po Rm Rs (N, B, C, W, E) Su.

Extremely variable. The following subspecies are often given specific rank.

1 Young twigs glabrous or subglabrous (b) subsp. carpatica

1 Young twigs distinctly puberulent

2 Tree or tall shrub more than 5 m; wing of fruit c. 11 times as

wide as nutlet (a) subsp. pubescens

2 Shrub up to 12 m; wing of fruit about as wide as nutlet (c) subsp. tortuosa