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Glite Dictionary
Betula pendula

Betula pendula

9.2
A birch tree with white peeling bark and drooping branches
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : abeto plateado
  • The Betula pendula is prized for its striking white bark and elegant silhouette in landscape gardens.

Examples

  • The drooping branches of the Betula pendula create a graceful canopy in the park.

  • Botanists planted several Betula pendula to restore the native woodland habitat.

  • The Betula pendula is often found in woodlands.

  • Many gardeners appreciate the Betula pendula for its beauty.

  • The Betula pendula is known for its elegant drooping branches and distinctive white bark.

  • In spring, the Betula pendula provides lovely shade with its gracefully arching branches.

  • Landscapers often choose the Betula pendula for its striking appearance and ability to thrive in various soils.

Synonyms

white birch
vsBetula pendula
  • UK
1 4.9

A tree with pale bark and thin hanging branches often found in Europe

is the version with silvery peeling bark and drooping branches instead
silver birch
vsBetula pendula
4.5

A tree with silvery white peeling bark and drooping branches

is the formal scientific name for the same species
European white birch
vsBetula pendula
  • UK
6.3

A tree with silvery white peeling bark and drooping branches

is the scientific name rather than this regional common name
common birch
vsBetula pendula
  • UK
3.8

A tree with silvery white bark that peels in thin papery layers and drooping branches

is the precise scientific name instead of this common name

Surface Forms

Betula pendula singular
Betula pendulas plural

Morphology

Betula + pendula

The binomial is directly compositional: Betula denotes the birch genus and pendula is a descriptive epithet meaning 'hanging' or 'drooping', so the species name literally denotes a birch with drooping branches. Although 'pendula' is Latin and not common in everyday English, its relation to English forms like 'pendulous' and the cross-linguistic convention of descriptive Latin species epithets make the meaning predictable for learners who know the constituents.

Etymology

Betula pendula comes from Latin words: Betula means 'birch' and pendula means 'hanging' or 'drooping'. This gives a clear image of the tree's white, peeling bark and its long branches that hang down, so the name fits the tree we see today.