Edible Plants of the World

European Birch, Silver Birch

European Birch, Silver Birch

It is a temperate plant. It is native to North Asia and Europe. It grows in temperate broad-leaved forests between 500–2300 m altitude in China. It can grow in many soil types. It is very hardy. It needs to be in full sun. It does best in sandy soils with a pH below 6.5. It does poorly in alkaline soils. It suits hardiness zones 2-9. Tasmania Herbarium. Arboretum Tasmania.

Also known as:

Breza, Briza belokora, Chui zhi hua, European white birch, Jajaknamu, Lady of the woods, Majfa, Navadna breza, Nyir, Nyirfa, Weeping birch

Synonyms

Edible Portion

Where does European Birch grow?

Found in: Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Belarus, Bosnia, Britain, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mongolia, North America, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Scandinavia, Serbia, Siberia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Sweden, Tasmania, Turkey, Ukraine, United States

Notes: There are about 60 Betula species. They grow in cool north temperate climates.

Status: The sap is drunk or frozen by children.

Growing European Birch, Silver Birch

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. Seed germinate easily.

Edible Uses: The sap has a sweet flavour and is eaten. Wine is made from the sap. The sap can also be made into vinegar. The young leaves can be eaten fresh in salads or lightly cooked as a vegetable. The inner bark is powdered and cooked and eaten. The flower spikes are milled into flower and added to bread.

Production: It is fast growing. Trees can yield 82 litres per tree during a week in early spring.

Nutrition Info

per 100g edible portion

Edible Part Energy (kcal) Protein (g) Iron (mg) Vitamin A (ug) Vitamin c (mg) Zinc (mg) % Water
Flowers - - - - - -
Leaves - - - - - -
Sap - - - - - -
Bark - - - - - -

European Birch, Silver Birch Photos

European Birch, Silver Birch European Birch, Silver Birch European Birch, Silver Birch European Birch, Silver Birch

References

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