Himalayan Silver Birch is a moderate-sized tree which grows up to 20 m above sea level. Occasionally it occurs as a mere shrub, forming the upper limit of forest vegetation. The peel of the tree is smooth, shining and reddish white or white, and consists of numerous thin papery layers. Due to its papery nature, the bark was used in ancient times as a writing material in place of paper. Kalidasa, a famous poet of the Sanskrit literature, mentions it in his literary works. Infusion of the bark is antiseptic, and carminative. Betulin, extracted from the bark, is used for esterfication.
