Italian alder (Alnus cordata, Bot. Gall. 1: 423 (1828))

Family: Betulaceae

Author: (Loisel.) Duby

Bibliography: Bot. Gall. 1: 423 (1828)

Year: 1828

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Alnus

Vegetable: False

Observations: NE. Corse, S. Italy

Description

The Italian alder, scientifically known as Alnus cordata, is a captivating member of the Betulaceae family. This species was first documented in the work “Bot. Gall.” in 1828. Authored by (Loisel.) Duby, it is a deciduous tree native to the regions of northeast Corsica and southern Italy.

Italian alders are renowned for their striking, heart-shaped leaves, which give them a unique aesthetic appeal among other alder species. The foliage is a deep green, contributing to the tree’s lush and vibrant appearance during the growing season. In fall, the leaves turn yellow before shedding, adding to the tree’s seasonal beauty.

Typically found in riparian environments, the Italian alder thrives in moist, well-drained soils. It is a hardy species that adapts well to a variety of landscapes, including urban settings. This adaptability, combined with its rapid growth rate, makes Alnus cordata a popular choice for reforestation and landscaping projects.

The tree can reach significant heights, often growing between 20 to 25 meters. It tends to develop a pyramidal shape when young, gradually becoming more rounded with age. Its bark is initially smooth and gray, but with time, it develops fissures, adding to its rustic charm.

One notable characteristic of the Italian alder is its symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. This relationship allows the tree to enrich the soil with nitrogen, making it beneficial for planting in areas that require soil restoration. This attribute also makes it an excellent companion plant for improving soil quality in mixed-species plantations.

The Italian alder blooms in early spring, producing yellowish-brown catkins. These flowers are not particularly showy but are crucial for the reproduction process. The tree’s small, woody cones mature by autumn, releasing seeds that facilitate natural propagation.

In terms of ecological significance, the Italian alder plays a vital role in providing habitat and food for various wildlife, including birds and small mammals, which utilize its seeds and shelter within its branches.

Whether admired for its aesthetic qualities, ecological benefits, or practical uses in landscaping and soil improvement, Alnus cordata stands out as a versatile and invaluable species within its native range and beyond.

Common Names

Fra: aune cordé, aune de corse
Dan: hjertebladet el
Eng: italian alder, alder of corsica, hartbladige els
Swe: italiensk al
Ita: ontano napoletano
Nld: hartbladige els
Spa: aliso
Cym: gwern yr eidal, gwernen yr eidal
En: Italian alder, Alder of Corsica, Hartbladige Els
Az: Ürəkşəkilli qızılağac
Eu: Italiar haltz
Co: Piralzu
Cs: Olše srdčitá
Da: Hjertebladet El
Nl: Hartbladige els, Italiaanse els
Fi: Italianleppä
Fr: Aulne de Corse, Aune cordé, Aune de Corse, Aulne à feuilles en coeur, Aune à feuilles en coeur, Aulne à feuilles de poirier, Aulne cordé, Aulne cordiforme, Aulne d’Italie, Aune cordiforme, Aulne à feuilles en cœur
De: Herzblättrige Erle, Italienische Erle, Napolitanische Erle
It: Ontano napoletano, Ontano cordato, Ontano italiano
No: Italiensk or
Pl: Olsza sercowata
Ru: Ольха сердцевидная
Sk: Jelša srdcovitá
Es: Aliso napolitano, Aliso, Aliso italiano
Sv: Italiensk al
Tr: İtalya kızılağacı
Cy: Gwernen yr Eidal, Gwern yr Eidal

Synonyms

• Alnus nervosus (Dippel)
• Alnus cordata var. rotundifolia (Dippel)
• Alnus cordata f. parvifolia (Callier)
• Betula cordata (Loisel.)
• Alnus obcordata (C.A.Mey. ex Steud.)
• Alnus neapolitana (Savi)
• Alnus cordifolia (Ten.)
• Alnus cordifolia var. rotundifolia (Regel)

Distribution

• Corse (native)
• Italy (native)
• Azores (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Oct 27, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Dec 10, 2021 by Matthieu Libeer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 19, 2018 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Mar 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 5, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 10, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 4, 2016 by Jennifer Carré (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 10, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (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.

Habit

Taken Dec 8, 2021 by Daniel Da Parigi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2021 by Isabelle Meyer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 28, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2022 by Christelle Geoffroy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 10, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Dec 11, 2021 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 23, 2021 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Michel GAUBERT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 3, 2021 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 29, 2021 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Nov 9, 2020 by Mementonature (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 1, 2022 by bismilla (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 21, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 28, 2019 by Alexia Penalva (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 28, 2019 by Alexia Penalva (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2876607)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:294902-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Alnus cordata (Loisel.) Duby)

Specifications

Growth habit: Tree

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Bloom months: [‘feb’]

Soil nutriments: 7