Smith, R.W.
Alnus incana (L.) Moench
Gray alder, Speckled alder
Betulaceae (Birch Family)
Speckled alder is a tall
shrub or small
tree, 20-35 ft. tall, with multiple, crooked, leggy trunks. Bent in a wide curve at their base, the trunks become upright and picturesque.
Deciduous leaves are rounded and coarsely
toothed, remaining dark-green in autumn. The flower is a purplish-red
catkin and the
fruit is a woody cone.
This is the common alder throughout the Rockies.
Image Gallery:
1 photo(s) available
Bloom Information
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AK , AZ , CA , CO , CT , ID , IL , IN , IA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MT , NV , NH , NJ , NM , NY , ND , OH , OR , PA , RI , UT , VT , VA , WA , WV , WI , WY
Canada: AB ,
BC ,
MB ,
NB ,
NL ,
NS ,
ON ,
PE ,
QC ,
SK Native Distribution: Lab. to AK, s. to NJ, mts. of WV, n.e. IL, n.e. IA, MN, n.e. ND & w. mts. to NM & c. CA
Native Habitat: Wetlands & stream edges
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N), SPM(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet , Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Wet soils.
Conditions Comments: Alnus rugosa and Alnus tenuifolia are usually considered subspecies. Fast-growing and flood tolerant, this species is short-lived, rarely exceeding 40 years. It can be thicket-forming and provides erosion control along watercourses in the mountains. Alders fix nitrogen and thus serve as nutrient-giving pioneers in reclamation projects.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Songbirds, waterbirds, and mammals frequently use this species.
Use Other: The Navajo Indians made a red dye from the powdered bark.
Interesting Foliage: yes
Last Update: 2012-06-30
