Definition

Noun: - A taxonomic family of plants: Family Betulaceae is the scientific name for a family of flowering plants, commonly known as the birch family. It consists of deciduous, monoecious trees and shrubs.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The birch and alder trees in this forest belong to the family Betulaceae.
  • A key characteristic of the family Betulaceae is its production of catkins.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical taxonomy: The name is used in a strict, hierarchical classification system. A plant's full scientific classification includes its family.
  • The genus Betula is placed within the family Betulaceae.

Variants and Related Words

• Betulaceae: The standard form of the family name, often used interchangeably with "family Betulaceae."
• birch family: The common English name for this plant family.

Synonyms

• Birch family: The common vernacular synonym.
• Alnaceae (historical): An older, synonymous family name sometimes used for a subgroup, now generally included within Betulaceae.

Noun

1. monoecious trees and shrubs (including the genera Betula and Alnus and Carpinus and Corylus and Ostrya and Ostryopsis)