Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.158851
Element CodePDBET020C2
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderFagales
FamilyBetulaceae
GenusBetula
SynonymsBetula papyrifera var. cordifolia(Regel) Fern.
Other Common NamesBouleau à feuilles cordées (FR) Eastern Paper Birch (EN) mountain paper birch (EN) Mountain Paper Birch (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic CommentsFlora of North America Editorial Committee (1997) elevates Betula papyrifera Marshall var. cordifolia (Regel) Fernald to full species as Betula cordifolia Regel.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-08-12
Change Date1993-02-18
Edition Date2024-08-12
Edition AuthorsNordman, C. (2024).
Threat ImpactLow
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsHeartleaf Paper Birch (Betula cordifolia) occurs in eastern North America, in southeastern Canada and the eastern United States. It occurs in Canada from Newfoundland and Labrador across southern Quebec to western Ontario, and in the United States from Maine to Minnesota, and south in the Appalachian Mountains to North Carolina and Tennessee. There are estimated to be more than 400 occurrences, including on National Forests, State Forests and State Parks in the United States. Lack of disturbance and succession are low-level threats. In the Appalachian Mountains, avalanches benefit this species, creating new areas for colonization.
Range Extent CommentsHeartleaf Paper Birch (Betula cordifolia) occurs in eastern North America, in southeastern Canada and the eastern United States. It occurs in Canada from Newfoundland and Labrador across southern Quebec to western Ontario, and in the United States from Maine to Minnesota, and south in the Appalachian Mountains to North Carolina and Tennessee. Range extent was estimated to be 3.8 million square kilometers, using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024 (FNA 1997, GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024, there are estimated to be more than 400 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Threat Impact CommentsLack of disturbance and succession are low-level threats. In the Appalachian Mountains, avalanches benefit this species, creating new areas for colonization (Southern Appalachian Species Viability Project 2002).