Liliental Betula lenta
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- BET-yoo-luh LEN-ta
- Description
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Sweet Birch is a deciduous tree that may grow 60 to 70 feet tall. Commonly found in forests of both low and high elevation, the leaves are alternate with singly toothed margins. The bark of young trees is smooth, breaking into small chip-like plates as it ages. Small, green flowers that are tinged in red mature in spring. During summer, 1- to 1.5-inch cones ripen and break apart, exposing the 2 very small, winged nutlets.
Especially sensitive to soil compaction.
Fire Risk: This plant has a low flammability rating.
Seasons of Interest:
Leaves: Fall Bloom: Spring Fruit/Seed/Nut: Summer (Nutlet)
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Betula
- Species:
- lenta
- Family:
- Betulaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- It is a larval host plant for the Mourning Cloak and Dreamy Duskywing butterflies. Many moths also use as a host plant. Its seeds are eaten by birds.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Pieces Used in Games
- Wildlife Food Source
- Wind Shimmer
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- highly deer resistant; Fire in the landscape.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 60 ft. 0 in. - 70 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 35 ft. 0 in. - 45 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Pyramidal
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- more than 60 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Nut
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- This plants' seed is a nutlet. During summer, 1 to 1.5-inch cones ripen and break apart, exposing the 2 very small, winged nutlets.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Catkin
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The Sweet Birch has small green flowers that are tinged with red and mature in early spring. The flower on the Sweet birch has 3" to 4" male catkins.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves of the Sweet Birch are 2.5" to 6" and are alternate, simple leaves that turn a golden-yellow color in the fall. The leaves have singly toothed margins.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Patchy
- Ridges
- Smooth
- Bark Plate Shape:
- Round
- Bark Description:
- The bark of young trees is smooth, breaking into small chip-like plates as it ages. Dark, shiny, tight bark with horizontal lenticels. Crushed twigs smell like wintergreen.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- Yes
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Recreational Play Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Dry Soil
- Fire
