Betula albosinensis | |
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Chinese red birch | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fagales |
Family: | Betulaceae |
Genus: | Betula |
Subgenus: | Betula subg. Neurobetula |
Species: | B. albosinensis
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Binomial name | |
Betula albosinensis |
Betula albosinensis, the Chinese red birch, syn. B. bhojpattra var. sinensis, B. utilis var. sinensis, is a species of birch in the family Betulaceae, native to Western China. It is a deciduous tree growing to 25 metres (82 ft). A particular feature is the peeling brown bark (cream when newly exposed). In fact the Latin specific name albosinensis means "white, from China".[2] Brown catkins are produced in Spring.[3]
Betula albosinensis is grown as an ornamental tree for parks and large gardens, and numerous cultivars have been produced. The cultivars 'China Rose',[4] 'Fascination'[5] and 'Red Panda'[6] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.