Green alder (Alnus alnobetula, Dendrologie 2(1): 625 (1872))

Family: Betulaceae

Author: (Ehrh.) K.Koch

Bibliography: Dendrologie 2(1): 625 (1872)

Year: 1872

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Alnus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. & Subarctic Northern Hemisphere

Description

The Green alder, scientifically known as Alnus alnobetula, is an intriguing and resilient species commonly found in the temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Belonging to the Betulaceae family, this hardy shrub thrives in challenging climates, showcasing its versatility and strength.

First documented in 1872 in the work “Dendrologie 2(1): 625,” the Green alder was classified by the renowned botanist Karl Heinrich Koch, who also attributed its scientific name. This species stands out for its ability to prosper in colder environments, often found in moist and nutrient-rich soils. These characteristics make it a crucial plant in its native ecosystems, providing stabilization to the soil and contributing to the ecological balance.

The Green alder is notable for its contribution to nitrogen fixation, enhancing soil fertility and supporting plant communities even in less hospitable terrains. Typically, the shrub reaches modest heights, allowing it to adapt well to various landscapes, from mountainous regions to the tundra.

Its leaves are deciduous, with a smooth texture and a vibrant green hue that contributes to its common name. Despite the severe conditions it often endures, the Green alder remains a symbol of resilience and adaptability, embodying the enduring spirit of flora in the Northern Hemisphere.

Thus, Alnus alnobetula serves as a vital component of its natural habitat, playing an essential role in ecological succession and aiding other species by improving soil health. It forms an integral part of the plant communities it inhabits, exemplifying the robustness and indispensability of this remarkable shrub.

Common Names

Dan: grøn el
Deu: grün-erle, alpen-erle, alpenerle, bergerle
Eng: green alder, european green alder, mountain alder
Fra: aulne vert, aulne des alpes, aune des alpes, aune vert
Swe: björkal, grönal
Nob: grønnor
Nno: grønor
Nor: groene els
Ita: ontano alpino, ontano verde
En: Green Alder, European Green Alder, Mountain alder, Montain Alder
Cs: Olše zelená
Da: Grøn el
Nl: Groene Els
Fr: Aulne vert, Aulne des Alpes, Aune des Alpes, Aune vert, Aunâtre
De: Grün-Erle, Alpen-Erle, Alpenerle, Bergerle, Grünerle, Lutherstaude
It: Ontano Alpino, Ontano Verde
No: Groene Els
Nb: Grønnor
Nn: Grønor
Sk: Jelša zelená
Sv: Björkal, Grönal
: Green alder

Synonyms

• Betula alnobetula (Ehrh.)
• Duschekia alnobetula ((Ehrh.) Pouzar)
• Alnus alnobetula var. genuina (Regel)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Aleutian Is. (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belarus (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• California (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• Chita (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Yukon (native)
• New Zealand South (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Aug 17, 2020 by robert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 28, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2020 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 5, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 17, 2020 by robert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2019 by Héloïse Jourdan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 13, 2019 by Daniel Dieterlé (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 1, 2021 by Chri Hil (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 28, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 15, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2020 by Christoph Stoll (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2021 by agilob (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2022 by @herbert (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 14, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8956987)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:294883-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Alnus alnobetula (Ehrh.) K.Koch)

Specifications

Growth habit: Shrub

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’]

Soil nutriments: 7