Betula utilis D.Don

Trees to 35 m tall; bark dark red-brown, exfoliating in thin flakes. Branches red-brown, glabrous; branchlets brown, densely resinous glandular and pubescent. Petiole 0.8-2 cm; leaf blade ovate, ovate-elliptic, or oblong, 4-9 × 2.5-6 cm, abaxially densely resinous punctate and pubescent, bearded in axils of lateral veins, adaxially densely villous when young, base rounded or subcordate, margin irregularly and doubly mucronate serrate, apex acuminate or caudate-acuminate; lateral veins 8-14 on each side of midvein. Female inflorescence 1, or 2 or 3 in a raceme, pendulous, oblong-cylindric, 3-5 cm × 7-12 mm; peduncle 0.5-1.5 cm; bracts 5-8 mm, pubescent, ciliate, 3-lobed, middle lobe lanceolate, lateral lobes ovate, ca. 1/3 as long as middle lobe. Nutlet obovate, 2-3 × 1.5-2 mm, with membranous wings ca. as wide as nutlet. Fl. Jun-Jul, fr. Jul-Aug. 2n = 56.

Forests at the upper height limit of tree growth, rarely found below 3,000 metres. Moist hillsides; at elevations from 2,000-4,000 metres in Nepal.

The bark (or resin) is ground and used as a tea substitute. Or as a flavouring addition to tea.

Can be grown by cuttings, graftings or seedlings. Seeds needs stratification.