As the name suggests, bog birch can be found in peaty, acidic fens. While it occurs amongst other, more common shrubs like mountain alder (Alnus incana), willow (Salix species) and serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis), bog birch can be distinguished by several features. Its leaves are small, deep green, and toothed. The leaves of serviceberry have a similar appearance, but are thinner and more blue-green in color. Like willows and alders, the flowers of bog birch occur in inflorescences called catkins. Catkins are spikes of densely packed, unisexual flowers that have been reduced to just the essentials. Flowers on male catkins consist of just stamens, while flowers on female catkins consist of just pistils. After all, says evolution, why bother with showy petals when your pollen is dispersed by the wind? While the catkins on alders are pendulous, the catkins of the bog birch point upwards. This species is considered rare in California (CNPS Rare Plant Ranking 2.2), but is more common across northern Canada, the northern Rockies, and Alaska.
- Species: Betula glandulosa
- Plant Family: Betulaceae (birch family)
- Where I saw it: Humbug Valley
- Look also: among shrubs in fen and wet meadow habitats
Mama Bluefoot 