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Newfoundland Dwarf Birch, Betula michauxii Spach

Height: A spreading and much-branched shrub with creeping underground stems, the erect branches up to 0.6 m high.

Twigs: Densely covered with short light brown hairs. Older branches are dark brown and shiny.

Leaves: Alternate, broadly fan-shaped, 0.5-1.3 cm long and about as broad, hairless, shiny and leathery, coarsely toothed and net-veined. They are overlapping along the branches. The nutlets do not have wings and the bracts are unlobed.

Habitat: Found on bogs and fens throughout Newfoundland and as far north as 55 degrees latitude in Labrador.

Source: Native Trees and Shrubs
of Newfoundland and Labrador
By A. Glen Ryan

Used with permission from
Parks and Natural Areas Division
Department of Environment and Conservation
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador 1995