Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Betula fontinalis

Betula fontinalis

9.9
A birch tree that grows in the western United States and has brownish bark
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Betula fontinalis
  • Unlike other birches, Betula fontinalis is easily recognized by its brownish bark.

Examples

  • The Betula fontinalis grows along streams in the Rocky Mountains.

  • The Betula fontinalis thrives in moist, well-drained soils.

  • Botanists studied the habitat preferences of Betula fontinalis in Colorado.

  • Have you seen a Betula fontinalis in the wild?

  • The Betula fontinalis is often found by rivers and streams in the western United States.

  • In wetland areas, Betula fontinalis can be seen growing alongside other native plants.

  • The distinctive brownish bark of the Betula fontinalis makes it stand out from other birch species.

Synonyms

mountain birch
vsBetula fontinalis
  • US
6.6

A birch tree with brownish bark that grows in western United States mountains

is the formal species name rather than a common name
Western birch
vsBetula fontinalis
  • Specialized
8.2

A tree with brownish bark that grows in western parts of the United States

is the formal species name rather than a common name
water birch
vsBetula fontinalis
  • US
6.5

A birch tree that grows by streams in the western United States and has brown bark

is the formal species name rather than a common name
Western paper birch
vsBetula fontinalis
  • US
7.2

A birch tree from the western United States with brown bark and thin branches

is the formal species name rather than a common name
swamp birch
vsBetula fontinalis
  • US
8.1

A birch tree from the western United States with brownish bark that grows in wetlands

is the formal species name rather than a common name

Surface Forms

Betula fontinalis singular
Betula fontinalises plural

Morphology

Betula + fontinalis

The first element 'Betula' identifies the genus (birch), so a learner who knows that could infer this is a kind of birch; however the specific epithet 'fontinalis' is a Latin technical term (not given here) and the detailed species sense (native range, bark colour) cannot be derived by a B1 learner. Because the binomial partly signals category (a birch) but requires specialized/Latin knowledge for the full meaning, it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Betula fontinalis comes from Latin: Betula means 'birch' and fontinalis means 'of springs' or 'near water'. So, imagine a birch tree standing by a stream with brownish bark — this image helps you remember that Betula fontinalis is a birch that 'grows near streams' in the western United States.