Alder- Common or Smooth

Alnus serrulata

ClassificationKingdom Plantae PlantsSubkingdom Tracheobionta Vascular PlantsSuperdivision Spermatophyta Seed PlantsDivision Magnoliophyta Flowering PlantsClass Magnoliopsida DicotyledonsSubclass HamamelididaeOrder FagalesFamily Betulaceae Birch FamilyGenius Alnus Mill alderSpecies Alnus serrulata Hazel alder

Figure 1: Classification Table

Shape, form, and TypeThe Alder tree is a

deciduous, thicket forming small tree, or large shrub, it can grow up to 20 feet tall ,and spread to 15-20 feet wide. [1]

Figure 2: Alder tree

Bark and Twig The bark on

the Alder tree is thin, varying from brownish to gray, it is smooth and muscled with a fluted trunk.[2]

Figure 3: Bark of Alder tree

The twigs on the Alder tree are thin, reddish brown in color and with gray fuzz [3]

Figure 4: Twig of Alder Tree

LeafThe leaves of an Alder

tree tend to be ovate to elliptical in shape with toothed and lobed edges. They are pinnate and simple, and are alternate. They are green above and a light yellow-green and hairy underneath. They vary from 2 to 5 inches in length and 1 ¼ to 2 ¾ inches wide. [4]

Figure 5: Leaves of Alder tree

BudThe buds located

on the Alder tree are oval in shape stalked, plump, and covered in 2 to 3 inch reddish purple scales. [5]

Figure 6: Bud of Alder Tree

Flower and FruitThe flowers on the Alder

tree are Monoecious, the male flower is a green brown catkins varying from 1 to 1 ½ inches long, the female flower is reddish in color and ½ and inch long, the flowers open in spring [6]

The fruit of and Alder tree is woody, cone like catkin, similar to a pine cone. It tends to be ½ an inch long, and each scale encloses a tiny, winged seed. The fruit ripens in the fall. [6]

Figure 7: Male flower of Alder tree

Figure 8: Female flower of Alder tree Figure 9: Fruit of Alder tree

Habitat and RangeThe Alder tree tends

to be found in moist lowlands, bordering streams and lakes, and swamps and bogs. Tends to be found on lowland sites from New England to Florida and Texas, and westward to Ohio and Minnesota. [7] Figure 10: range of Alder tree

UsesThe Alder tree has many

medical uses, the tea from its bark is an analgesic, astringent, and a blood purifier. It is used in the treatment of diarrhea, toothaches, coughs, childbirth pains. Its also good as a wash for hives, poison ivy rash, swellings and sprains. Its roots are planted on the banks of streams to prevent erosion, but because the wood is soft and brittle it has little or no commercial value. [8]

Figure 11: This extract contains the bark of an Alder tree.

References of Data1. Shape, form and type-

1989. Kevin Tarner. Georgia Wildlife Federation. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010. http://www.gwf.org/resources/wildlifehabitats/alnusserrulata.html

2. Bark- 1989. Kevin Tarner. Georgia Wildlife Federation. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010.

http://www.gwf.org/resources/wildlifehabitats/alnusserrulata.html 3. Twig-

2010. Virginia Tech. USDA Plants Database. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010 http://www.cnr.vt.edu/DENDRO/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=8

4. Leaves- 2010. Virginia Tech. USDA Plants Database. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/DENDRO/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=85. Bud-

2010. Virginia Tech. USDA Plants Database. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010 http://www.cnr.vt.edu/DENDRO/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=8

6. Flower and Fruit- 2010. Virginia Tech. USDA Plants Database. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/DENDRO/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=8 7. Habitat and range-

2002. Earl J.S.Rook. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010 http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/nature/shrubs/alnusincana.html http://chestofbooks.com/flora-plants/The-Herb-Hunters-Guide/Hazel-Alder-Alnus-rugosa-DuRoi-Spreng.html

8. Uses- 2008. Pants for a Future. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010 http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Alnus+serrulata

References of Pictures Figure 1: Classification table-

USDA. Plants profile. Date Retrieved:6/22/10 http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ALSE2

Figure 2: Alder tree- 2008. Mellow Marshmallow. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2 010 http://www.mellowmarshfarm.com/plant/Alnus_serrulata.html

Figure 3: Bark of Alder tree- 2006. Missouri Plants. Date retrieved: 6/22/2010 http://www.missouriplants.com/Catkins/Alnus_serrulata_page.html

Figure 4: Twig of Alder tree- 2002. Steve Baskauf. Discover Life. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010 http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?search=Alnus+serrulata

Figure 5: Leaves of Alder tree-2009. Will Cook. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2011 http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/trees/alse.html

Figure 6: Bud of Alder tree- 2000. Key to Winter Twigs. Date Retrieved: 6/22/10 http://www.una.edu/faculty/pgdavison/Twig%20Key.htm

References to Pictures Cont.Figure 7: Male flower of Alder tree-

2002. Steve Baskauf. Discover Life. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010 http://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?search=Alnus+serrulata

Figure 8: Female Flower of Alder tree- 2006. Missouri Plants. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010

http://www.missouriplants.com/Catkins/Alnus_serrulata_page.html Figure 9: Fruit of Alder tree-

2002. Gary Fewless. Date retrieved: 6/22/2010 http://www.uwgb.edu/biodiversity/herbarium/trees/alnrug_matureFemaleAment01.jpg

Figure 10: Habitat and range of Alder tree- 2010. Virginia Tech. USDA Plants Database. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/DENDRO/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=8 Figure 11: Alder tree medical uses-

Gaia Herbs. Scudder’s Alternative Supreme. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010 http://www.gaiaherbs.com/product.php?id=90