Betula pendula
Silver birch
Betula pendula, commonly known as the silver birch, is a versatile deciduous tree prized for its medicinal properties. Its bark, leaves, and sap contain bioactive compounds with diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects. Traditionally used to support kidney health and skin conditions, this elegant species remains a cornerstone of herbalism.
- Scientific name: Betula pendula
- Family: Betulaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Fagales and the family Betulaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Betula, specifically as the species Betula pendula.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fagales | WCVP |
| Family | Betulaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Betula | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, scientifically known as Betula pendula, is recognized by various common names across different Chinese linguistic contexts. In Simplified Chinese, it is known as 垂枝桦 (zh-hans) or 垂枝桦 (zh-cn), and it is also referred to as 垂枝桦 (zh-sg) in Singapore. In Traditional Chinese contexts, the names are written as 垂枝樺 (zh-hant) and 垂枝樺 (zh-hk).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 垂枝桦 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 垂枝樺 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 垂枝樺 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 垂枝桦 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 垂枝桦 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 垂枝樺 | Wikidata |
| pl | brzoza brodawkowata | Wikidata |
| eu | Urki dilindari | Wikidata |
| udm | Ошиськись кызьпу | Wikidata |
| be | бяроза павіслая | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Betula pendula, is widely distributed across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found growing naturally throughout the landscape of Denmark. Its presence is also well-established within the territories of Finland and Norway. Furthermore, the species is commonly distributed across the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Together, these locations represent a significant portion of its northern geographical range.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known as the silver birch, possesses various components that are utilized for their medicinal properties. The distinctive white bark is perhaps its most recognizable feature, though the stem's inner bark also contains valuable compounds. The foliage consists of numerous small, triangular leaves, where each individual leaf provides a source of tannins and other bioactive substances. Beneath the soil, the system is supported by hairy roots, which contribute to the overall chemical profile of the species.- Total parts
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 7
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| bark | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem's inner bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hairy roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| buds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Betula pendula has 32 reported phytochemicals identified across 44 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include betulinic acid, betulin, Betulinic acid, Cu, Fe.
- Total chemicals
- 32
- Scientific sources
- 44
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| betulinic acid | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| betulin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Betulinic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cu | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fe | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pb | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Zn | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpenoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acacetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Betula pendula has 5 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiseptic, Diuretic.
- Total activities
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiseptic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Betula pendula has 18 reported medicinal uses identified across 24 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include breast cancer, wound healing, arthritis, rheumatism, actinic keratosis.
- Total uses
- 18
- Scientific sources
- 24
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| breast cancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| wound healing | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| arthritis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatism | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| actinic keratosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antiseptic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glioblastoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gout | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |