Betula chinensis
# Betula chinensis

Betula chinensis, commonly known as dwarf small-leaf birch, is a species of birch that can be found in China and Korea on the elevation of 700–3,000 metres (2,300–9,800 ft).

## Description

The species is 5 metres (16 ft) tall with either yellow or yellowish-brown colour. Leaf blade is elliptic and ovate with a diameter of 1.5–6 centimetres (0.59–2.36 in) by 1–5 centimetres (0.39–1.97 in). Female species have a subglobose inflorescence which is also oblong with a diameter of 1–2 centimetres (0.39–0.79 in) by 0.6–1.5 centimetres (0.24–0.59 in). It peduncle is 1–2 millimetres (0.039–0.079 in) long while its bracts can be as long as 5–9 millimetres (0.20–0.35 in). Flowers bloom from May to June while the fruits ripe from July to August.

## Taxonomy

Betula chinensis occurs in both hexaploid and octoploid forms. It appears to be a triple hybrid between B. calcicola, B. potaninii and B. chichibuensis. It is placed in section Asperae, subgenus Aspera.

