Betula alleghaniensis Yellow birch (Betulaceae) Deciduous tree

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Betula alleghaniensis
Yellow birch
Deciduous tree
(1 Page of 5)

The Betula alleghaniensis plant species is found in Northeastern N. America - Newfoundland to Virginia and Tennessee. It is a member of the Betulaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Yellow birch. Some home gardeners know the variety as B. lutea.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Betula alleghaniensis
Common Name:  Yellow birch
Family:  Betulaceae
Author:  Britt.

Known Hazards:  None known

Mature Height:  12   Mature Width:  3

Habitat:  Usually found in moist well-drained soils in rich woodlands on lower slopes, it is also found in cool marshlands in the south of its range[62, 229].

Edible Uses: Inner bark - cooked or dried and ground into a powder and used with cereals in making bread[62]. Inner bark is generally only seen as a famine food, used when other forms of starch are not available or are in short supply[K]. Sap - raw or cooked. A sweet flavour[62, 102, 161, 177]. The sap is harvested in early spring, before the leaves unfurl, by tapping the trunk. It flows abundantly, but the sugar content is much lower than maple sap[226]. A pleasant drink, it can also be concentrated into a syrup or fermented into a beer[183, 226]. A tea is made from the twigs and leaves[62, 177]. The dried leaves are used according to another report[183]. An excellent flavour[226]. The twigs and leaves have the flavour of wintergreen and can be used as condiments[183].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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