Alnus glutinosa

Alnus glutinosa (= Betula alnus var. glutinosa), commonly known as Common Alder, European Alder, is a tree.

Contents 1 Naming 2 Taxonomy 3 Characteristics 3.1 Growth 3.2 Wood and Bark 3.3 Leaves 3.4 Flowers and Fruit 3.5 Root System 4 Distribution 5 Cultivation 6 Uses 7 Maintenance 8 Varities and Cultivars 9 Poisonousness 10 Pests and Diseases 11 Man and Alnus glutinosa 11.1 History 11.2 Alnus glutinosa in art 11.3 Symbolism 11.4 Superstition 12 See also 13 References 13.1 Literature 13.2 Footnotes 14 Non-commercial Links

[edit] Naming

Alnus glutinosa was already described and the name validly published by Carl Linnaeus. It was not until 1790, however, that Joseph Gaertner reclassified it into todays valid botanical systematics.

[edit] Taxonomy

The Common Alder is a species in the genus Alnus (alder) which contains 35 species and belongs to the family of the Betulaceae (Birch Family).

[edit] Characteristics

[edit] Growth

The trees grow to a height of approximately 14 meters and have a broadly conical shape. They grow at a rapid rate and have a long lifespan.

[edit] Wood and Bark

[edit] Leaves

Alnus glutinosa is a decidious plant with simple leaves. The leaves are arranged opposite one another. They are dark green and ovate with toothed margins.

[edit] Flowers and Fruit

The flowers are cross-shaped and brown. The plants bloom in March. The flowers are arranged in spikes.

The brown fruits are samaras and very ornamental. They develop in summer.

[edit] Root System

[edit] Distribution

Alnus glutinosa is native to the whole of Europe, the Caucasus, west Sibiria, Central Asia, Turkey, north Iran, northwest Africa and is naturalized in North America.

[edit] Cultivation

The Common Alder prefers a half schady site and can withstand temperatures down to -40º C. It grows best in pebbly, loamy soil that is moist. The plants are moderately drought tolerant. They will do rahter poolry in anaerobic soils and are only slightly tolerant of limy conditions.

[edit] Uses

Alnus glutinosa is used medicinally.

[edit] Maintenance

[edit] Varities and Cultivars

[edit] Poisonousness

 Please read the health issues note! 

[edit] Pests and Diseases

[edit] Man and Alnus glutinosa

[edit] History

[edit] Alnus glutinosa in art

[edit] Symbolism

[edit] Superstition

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] Literature

• Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: Der große Zander. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
• Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.
• efloras.org

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] Non-commercial Links

More pictures of Alnus glutinosa in the

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• United States Department of Agriculturees:Alnus glutinosafr:Alnus glutinosa