(n) monoecious trees and shrubs (including the genera Betula and Alnus and Carpinus and Corylus and Ostrya and Ostryopsis), Syn. birch family, family Betulaceae
(n) common birch of the eastern United States having spicy brown bark yielding a volatile oil and hard dark wood used for furniture, Syn. black birch, cherry birch, Betula lenta
n. 1. a natural family of monoecious trees and shrubs, including the genera Betula; Alnus; Carpinus; Corylus; Ostrya; and Ostryopsis. Syn. -- family Betulaceae, birch family. [ WordNet 1.5 ]