bog birch Betulaceae Betula nana

Leaf:Alternate, simple, pinnately-veined, broadly obovate to nearly round, 1/2 to 1 inch long, often wider than long; rounded large teeth, thickened, shiny green above and a bit paler below.
Flower:Species is monoecious; preformed male catkins are 1/2 to 1 inch long, pendant, and become much longer and yellow-green as they open in mid-spring; females are upright, 1/2 to 1 inch long, and reddish green in color.
Fruit:Cone-like aggregate of winged nutlets, 1/2 to 1 inch long, upright, ripen in late fall.
Twig:Slender, dark reddish brown, rapidly growing shoots maybe densely hairy, glandular and sticky, but later become smooth; spur shoots numerous; no taste or odor.
Bark:Shiny, reddish brown, numerous horizontal lenticels; larger stems develop dull white markings.
Form:Dense shrub reaching up to 5 feet in height with a round crown in the southern parts of its range. It is much shorter (18 inches) and more prostrate in the northern (Arctic) portions of its range.

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