Herb: Scrub Birch


Latin name: Betula glandulosa


Synonyms: Betula glandulifera


Family: Betulaceae (Birch Family)



Medicinal use of Scrub Birch:

The bark is antirheumatic, astringent, lithontripic, salve and sedative.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Deciduous
Shrub

Height:
2 m
(6 1/2 foot)

Scent:
Scented
Shrub

Habitat of the herb:

Streambanks, marsh margins, lakes and bogs, also found on alpine slopes.

Edible parts of Scrub Birch:

Young leaves and catkins - raw. The buds and twigs are used as a flavouring in stews.

Other uses of the herb:

The plant is valuable for ground cover. An infusion of the plant is used as a hair conditioner and dandruff treatment.

Propagation of Scrub Birch:

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a light position in a cold frame. Only just cover the seed and place the pot in a sunny position. Spring sown seed should be surface sown in a sunny position in a cold frame. If the germination is poor, raising the temperature by covering the seed with glass can help. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. If you have sufficient seed, it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed, either as soon as it is ripe or in the early spring - do not cover the spring sown seed. Grow the plants on in the seedbed for 2 years before planting them out into their permanent positions in the winter.

Cultivation of the herb:

Streambanks, marsh margins, lakes and bogs, also found on alpine slopes.

Known hazards of Betula glandulosa:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.