Bleeding Eye Birch
Basic Information
Anatomy
The Bleeding Eye Birch is a small to medium sized species of Birch tree, growing thinner and less densely leaved than its wild counterparts. The tree is more delicate and prone to damage than many wild trees with even thinner paper bark, leaving it highly susceptible to insect damage. The trees grow yellow leaves that are red at the tips with black and white spots in the center of the leaf, somewhat resembling eyes. Their trunks and branches are black and white, with more striation than wild birches.
Genetics and Reproduction
The vast majority of Bleeding Eye Birches are cloned cultivars and cannot pollinate one another, highly controlling their populations, as new individuals can generally only be produced through cuttings. Rarely, they can be pollinated by wild birch trees, producing cultivar hybrids.
Ecology and Habitats
This tree species is considered to be entirely domestic, produced through cross breeding several species of birch trees together to create a new species entirely for its aesthetic and decorative qualities. Careful selection of the most desirable individuals has lead to a vastly different looking organism to it's wild counterparts, and thus it is only found in cultivated areas such as cities, parks, gardens, and the yards of people's homes. The tree is considered a highly valued plant due to its unique appearance and comes with a high price tag; when not found in public areas, it is most often found in upper class neighborhoods.
The tree is most common in the northern hemisphere, very rarely having the right conditions to grow to adulthood in the southern hemisphere outdoors due to its soil and fertilizer needs being incredibly specific. The tree will often not grow without the assistance of cedar mulch and ladybugs to repel insects. Many insects native in the southern hemisphere quickly devour the plant's leaves and bark, often killing the plant before damage can be reversed and healed.
Additional Information
Domestication
The plant is entirely a domesticated species, cultivated from many species of birch trees and originally bred by Fairies as a show of wealth and extra resources by hives to cultivate such a finicky plant. It is believed that due to its extremely thin bark, the Bleeding Eye Birch may have originally been bred for building material in hive construction, later shifting to its purely decorative usage. In modern times, the tree is quite popular with upper class Vampires due to its name and interesting appearance, as the leaves are said to look as if they are dipped in blood or the 'eyes' on the leaves are bleeding. Many areas high in vampire population often have the Bleeding Eye Birch planted in them, particularly in public parks and gardens.
Bleeding Eye Birches are also a popular choice among bonsai enthusiasts, especially in regions where the tree cannot survive planted outdoors. Dwarf and miniature breeds have been cultivated to produce smaller leaves while still following the general anatomy of a full sized specimen. Dwarf varieties are generally cheaper than the main cultivar as well, and much more highly bred for refinement of the eyespot pattern on its foliage.
Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms
Many species of insects have integrated the plant into their lifestyles and diet in some fashion. Ladybugs in particular have begun to heavily rely on Bleeding Eye Birches in urban areas, as the tree is heavily susceptible to aphid infestations, creating an incredible food source for the beetles who feed on them. Moth and butterfly larva also often have an easier time digesting leaves from the tree and occasionally also feed on its bark. It's not uncommon for trees to become covered in butterflies laying eggs on them in early spring.
Origin/Ancestry
natural / domestic
Lifespan
Up to 350 years
Conservation Status
Least concern / cultivated
Average Height
6-10 feet
Geographic Distribution
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