Betula glandulosa
Dwarf resin birch, Dwarf Resin Birch
(c) Dustin Snider, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Dustin Snider · licence
Family: Betulaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Betula glandulosa (Dwarf resin birch) is a native California shrub in the Betulaceae family, recognized by key differences are size (shrub <2m vs tree to 10m) and leaf size (1-2cm vs 2-5cm).
Dwarf resin birch is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native shrub found in the Cascade Range and Warner Mountains in stream and meadow edge habitats at elevations of 1,300 to 2,300 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces small flowers in delicate, resin-dotted clusters. Growing with multiple trunks less than 2 meters tall, it has distinctive waxy-gray twigs covered in sticky resin glands. Its leaves are small, typically 1 to 2 centimeters long, with elliptic to wide-ovate shapes and glands visible on both leaf surfaces. The bark ranges from brown to gray, creating a subtle, textured appearance in alpine and subalpine environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; key differences are size (shrub <2m vs tree to 10m) and leaf size (1-2cm vs 2-5cm)
Habitat and range
Habitat: Streams, meadow edges
Elevation: 1300-2300 m
Outside California: to Alaska, eastern North America
Bloom period
Betula glandulosa blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Populus: Betula has catkins that disintegrate with three-lobed scales; Populus has capsules that split to release cottony seeds.; vs Alnus: Betula catkins completely disintegrate when ripe; Alnus catkins form persistent woody cone-like structures.; vs Platanus: Betula has alternate toothed leaves and disintegrating catkins; Platanus has palmately lobed leaves and ball-like seed clusters.; vs Quercus: Betula has small winged seeds from catkins; Quercus has acorns in caps.; vs Acer: Betula has alternate leaves and tiny winged seeds; Acer has opposite lobed leaves and paired winged seeds.
Frequently asked questions
Is Betula glandulosa native to California?
Yes. Betula glandulosa is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Betula glandulosa bloom?
Betula glandulosa blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Betula glandulosa belong to?
Betula glandulosa is in the Betulaceae family, genus Betula.
Is Betula glandulosa rare or endangered?
Betula glandulosa carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S2.
What habitat does Betula glandulosa grow in?
Betula glandulosa grows in Streams, meadow edges.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.