Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands
Water birch
K’ishchíí
(a.k.a. Rocky Mountain birch)
Water birch is native to western North America. It is an important species for streambank stabilization and wildlife habitat. It grows along streams and in wet canyon bottoms, where it is frequently found with cottonwoods, alders, willows, and other water-loving plants. This is a small tree distinguished by catkins hanging from its twigs in the spring and by its rough, reddish-brown bark patterned with small lines called lenticels. The leaves are dark green and glossy through the growing season. The leaves are ovate with dentate edges.
Copyright 2018 New Mexico State University. Individual photographers retain all rights to their images. Partially funded by the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (westernsare.org; 435.797.2257), project EW15-023. Programs and projects supported by Western SARE are equally open to all people. NMSU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action educator and employer..
NMSU does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, retaliation, serious medical condition, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, spousal affiliation or protected veteran status in its programs and activities as required by equal opportunity/affirmative action regulations and laws and university policy and rules. For more information please read the NMSU Notice of Non-discrimination (opens in new window).