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Photographer: Michael Clayton
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Family Betulaceae
Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.
black alder, European alder
Alnus: ancient Latin name derived from the Celtic, "growth along streams"
glutinosa: very sticky
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| Status: | Introduced - locally established; potentially invasive |
| Plant: | perennial tree to 40'-60' tall, often with several trunks and a narrow crown; dark brown, smooth bark becoming darker and breaking into fissures with time; pale, horizontal lenticels |
| Flower: | winter buds stalked; male catkins in 1 or more clusters 1 1/2"-5" long; blooms in early spring |
| Fruit: | oval to nearly round, stalked fruit clusters; samaras obovate, wings only narrow, thickened ridges |
| Leaf: | leaf obovate to nearly oval, leathery, edges coarsely and often irregularly doubly toothed; heavily coated with resin on top and bottom |
| Habitat: | moist to wet; streambanks, floodplains, wetland edges |
| Notes: | the hard wood of this tree was used extensively in Europe as lumber, for carving, and for wooden shoes |
| (Glossary) |
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