Betula utilis aka Himalayan Birch

Betula utilis, also known as the Himalayan birch or bhojpatra in Sanskrit, is a deciduous tree that is native to the Western Himalayas. It can grow up to 20 meters tall and is often found in forests alongside conifers and evergreen Rhododendron shrubs. The tree's white, paper-like bark has been used for writing Sanskrit scriptures and texts since ancient times, and is still used today as paper for sacred mantras. The Latin name for the species, utilis, means "useful" and refers to the many parts of the tree that are utilized. However, the tree's native habitat is being lost due to overuse for firewood. Selected varieties of Betula utilis are used for landscaping throughout the world. As a houseplant, the Himalayan birch is a rare and challenging plant to grow that requires regular watering and long-lasting, direct light. It prefers soil that is well draining and should be repotted each time it doubles in size. The plant belongs to the Betula genus and is native to the Himalayas. The tree's ovate leaves are 5 to 10 cm long, slightly hairy, and have serrated margins. The tree typically flowers from May to July.