Birch family
Description
A family of deciduous shrubs and trees occurring in the northern hemisphere (Betulaceae 1).
The leaves are simple, with stipules. The flowers are unisexual, the males borne in catkins (Betulaceae 2) with 2-12 stamens, the females clustered and with an inferior ovary. They are wind-pollinated in early spring. The fruit is a one-seeded nut, often with wings.
There are 6 genera.
Use
The family provides timber for furniture, doors and floors, the Genus Corylus yields nuts.
Described species
Corylus avellana, hazel
Corylus maxima, filbert, see Corylus avellana