Family: Betulaceae
Author: (L.) Gaertn.
Bibliography: Fruct. Sem. Pl. 2: 54 (1790)
Year: 1790
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Alnus
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: Europe to W. Siberia and Iran
Description
The European alder, scientifically known as Alnus glutinosa, is a deciduous tree that holds a distinguished place in the Betulaceae family. This species, which was first formally documented in 1790, is primarily native to Europe but has a natural range extending into Western Siberia and Iran, reflecting its adaptability to diverse climatic conditions.
Characterized by its rapid growth and nitrogen-fixing abilities, the European alder plays a vital ecological role in enriching soil fertility. The tree can often be found in wet, swampy areas, alongside rivers, and in damp woodlands, which highlights its preference for moist environments. Its ability to thrive in such conditions makes it an invaluable component of riparian forest ecosystems.
The European alder typically reaches heights of 20 to 30 meters, boasting a straight trunk and a conical crown that becomes more rounded with age. The bark is initially smooth and greenish-brown, maturing to become fissured and darker as the tree ages. The leaves are glossy, sticky when young, and have a distinctive rounded to ovate shape with serrated edges, providing a dense canopy that offers excellent shade.
A notable feature of the European alder is its reproductive strategy. The tree produces both male and female catkins, with the male catkins being slender and pendulous, and the female catkins forming small, woody cones. These cones persist on the tree through winter, releasing seeds that contribute to the species’ broad distribution.
In addition to its ecological benefits, the European alder has significant cultural and practical uses. Historically, its wood, known for being water-resistant, was used in the construction of underwater structures, such as bridges and foundation pilings. Today, it continues to be valued for furniture, crafts, and in land reclamation projects.
Through its widespread presence across Europe to Western Siberia and Iran, Alnus glutinosa underscores the diversity and resilience of the natural world, serving as a keystone species in many wetland ecosystems and a testament to the intricate interplay between flora and their environments.
Common Names
Eng: alder, black alder, european alder
Dan: rød-el
Deu: schwarz-erle, schwarzerle
Nor: aare, aare-træ, older, oor, rød-oor, svart-older, svart-oor
Fra: aulne glutineux
Swe: klibbal
Ita: ontano nero
En: European alder, Alder, Black alder, Common Alder, Fūla bēam, European black alder, Sticky Alder
Af: Swartels, Alderboom, Elsboom
Ar: نغت دبق
Az: Adi qızılağac
Ba: Ҡара ерек
Eu: Haltz beltz
Be: Вольха чорная
Bs: Crna joha
Bg: Черна елша
Ca: Vern, Arbre negre, Vernet
Zh: 普通赤杨
Kw: Gwern
Co: Alzu
Hr: Crna joha
Cs: Olše lepkavá
Da: Rød-El
Nl: Zwarte els, Grauwe Els
Eo: Nigra alno
Et: Sanglepp
Fi: Tervaleppä
Fr: Aulne glutineux, Aulne noir, Aulne poisseux, Aune glutineux, Aune noir, Aune poisseux, Aune commun, Vergne, Verne
Gl: Amieiro
Ka: Შავი მურყანი
De: Schwarz Erle, Schwarz-Erle, Schwarzerle, Bacherle, Roterle
He: אלמון שחור
Hu: Enyves éger
Is: Rauðölur
Io: Frangulo
It: Ontano nero, Ontano comune
Kk: Jabısqaq qandıağaş, Жабысқақ қандыағаш, جابىسقاق قاندىاعاش
Kv: Сьӧд ловпу
Ko: 검은오리나무
Lv: Melnalksnis
Lt: Juodalksnis
Lb: Alenter
Mk: Црна евла
Se: Čáhppesleaibi, Darveleaibi
No: Svartor, Aare, Aare-træ, Older, Oor, Rød-oor, Svart-older, Svart-oor
Nb: Svartor
Nn: Svartor
Fa: توسکای سیاه
Pl: Olcha, Olsza czarna
Pt: Amieiro
Ro: Arin
Rm: Ogn nair
Ru: Ольха чёрная
Gd: Feàrna
Sr: Црна јова
Sk: Jelša lepkavá
Es: Aliso, Aliso común, Črna jelša, Aliso negro
Sv: Klibbal, Tervaleppä, Al
Tr: Adi kızılağaç
Uk: Вільха чорна
Wa: Noer ônea
Cy: Gwernen, Gwern
Synonyms
- Betula alnus var. glutinosa (L.)
- Betula glutinosa ((L.) Lam.)
- Betula alnus subsp. glutinosa ((L.) Ehrh.)
- Alnus vulgaris (Hill)
- Alnus glutinosa var. vulgaris (Spach)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iran (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Krym (native)
- Libya (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Poland (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Argentina Northeast (introduced)
- Argentina South (introduced)
- Azores (introduced)
- Chile Central (introduced)
- Chile South (introduced)
- Connecticut (introduced)
- Free State (introduced)
- Illinois (introduced)
- Indiana (introduced)
- Iowa (introduced)
- Kentucky (introduced)
- Maryland (introduced)
- Masachusettes (introduced)
- Michigan (introduced)
- Minnesota (introduced)
- New Jersey (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- New Zealand South (introduced)
- Newfoundland (introduced)
- Ohio (introduced)
- Ontario (introduced)
- Pennsylvania (introduced)
- Rhode I. (introduced)
- Tasmania (introduced)
- Vermont (introduced)
- Wisconsin (introduced)
Additional Images
Bark
Taken Nov 12, 2020 by Sandra Clermont (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 7, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 12, 2019 by maruskay (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 4, 2019 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 18, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jan 12, 2022 by Sally Machin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 20, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 18, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 21, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 19, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Dec 4, 2019 by Sabina Hartmann (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 21, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 20, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 18, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 19, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Nov 18, 2021 by Michel Michel MONTEIL (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 27, 2018 by Juan I Deán (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 21, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 3, 2021 by patricia campodonico (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 16, 2021 by Decobert Didier (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Mar 1, 2019 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 1, 2019 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 1, 2019 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 1, 2019 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 1, 2019 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Oct 24, 2021 by lena yentur (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 31, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 3, 2021 by olieu (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 16, 2019 by Dirk Fabian (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 20, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2876213)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30036759-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.)