Black Alder

Betulaceae

LIFE FORM: Tree

NATIVITY: Europe

VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS:

50 to 60 feet tall; shiny, elliptical leaves stay green late into the fall.

FLOWERS:

Pendulous male catkins conspicuous in early spring.

FRUIT/DISPERSAL AGENTS:

Woody cones persist through the winter; seeds wind-dispersed; sprouts readily from base following injury.

ECOLOGICAL PREFERENCE:

Freshwater wetlands; riverbanks.

ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTION:

Fixes atmospheric nitrogen; salt tolerance along roadways; food and/or habitat for wildlife; stream and river bank stabilization; soil building on degraded land.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

This nitrogen-fixing tree was originally cultivated for soil stabilization purposes.