Northern Birch
Betula pubescens var. pumila
- Native to:
- Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, United States
GBIF: Lassi Karakoski
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Betulaceae
- Genus:
- Betula
- Species:
- Betula pubescens var. pumila
- USDA Symbol:
- BEBO
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub , Tree
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acronicta dactylina, American Dagger Moth (Acronicta americana), Arched Hooktip (Drepana arcuata), Banded Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris), Caloptilia coroniella, Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), Eastern Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma americana), Elm Sphinx (Ceratomia amyntor), Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), hag moth (Phobetron pithecium), Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae), Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis), Io moth (Automeris io), Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella), Olethreutes zelleriana, Orange-tipped oakworm moth (Anisota senatoria), Peppered Moth (Biston betularia), Polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus), Red-humped caterpillar moth (Schizura concinna), Spring cankerworm (Paleacrita vernata), Two-lined Hooktip Moth (Drepana bilineata), Umber Moth (Hypomecis umbrosaria), Unicorn caterpillar moth (Schizura unicornis), White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma), white-streaked prominent (Oligocentria lignicolor), Yellownecked caterpillar (Datana ministra), Compton Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis vau-album), Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, browsing mammals
- Fall Color:
- yellow
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- peaty, nutrient-rich, moisture-retentive soil
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- commonly found in bogs and wetlands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination. Best sown on surface of moist substrate in cool conditions.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI