Life's a Birch
We have here growing on the north side of the hills a small tree with a most distinctive bark. I've never seen this tree any other place.
Bark says it's a birch. Fruit says it's a birch. Buds say it's a birch. Leaves say it's a birch. Habitat says it's a birch. But, look as I might in three books and numerous Web sites, I cannot find a birch exactly like this one with it's distinctive bark.
I did, however, find one that was similar but it grows in China. Then I read:
Seems that some 525 species (polyploid and other wise) have already been named. So, until I know better, I'm calling this one Betula leinbachia, making it now 526 named species.
Common name? Lineback's Bastard Birch.
Bark says it's a birch. Fruit says it's a birch. Buds say it's a birch. Leaves say it's a birch. Habitat says it's a birch. But, look as I might in three books and numerous Web sites, I cannot find a birch exactly like this one with it's distinctive bark.
I did, however, find one that was similar but it grows in China. Then I read:
Birches are a difficult group taxonomically because of their high vegetative variability and frequent hybridization. Many morphologic and cytologic studies have attempted to deal with variation within the genus or its subgroups. Species of Betula form a polyploid series, with chromosome numbers of 2 n = 28, 56, 70, 84, and 112, plus additional numbers in some hybrids.Nothing like a good polyploid to drive a tree namer nuts.
Seems that some 525 species (polyploid and other wise) have already been named. So, until I know better, I'm calling this one Betula leinbachia, making it now 526 named species.
Common name? Lineback's Bastard Birch.
Comments
Post a Comment