Illinois Natural History Survey - University of Illinois

Alnus glutinosa
Black alder, European alder
Taxonomy

Synonyms: Alnus vulgaris

Subspecific taxa:

Classification:

  • Magnoliophyta

Other taxonomic & nomenclature sources: USDA Plants;  ITIS;  The Plant List;  IPNI

Images

   
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Species Distribution
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Click map to view & download detailed occurrence records

More about map & occurrence records

County Map Legend
Absent:
Not known from county
Medium confidence:
Medium or unknown confidence;
often old records or unverifiable observations
Medium-high confidence:
Often observations by expert botanists
High confidence:
Often vouchered herbarium records
Planted / introduced:
Native species introduced outside historic range,
or only in planted locations within county (e.g., restorations)
Historic / extirpated:
Only historic records for the species; likely extirpated
(Note that this category is not yet functional)

North American distribution maps for this species: FLNA;  USDA Plants;  BONAP;  BISON

Collections, Observations & Flowering by Month [?]

J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

Collections & Observations by Decade [?]

Species Status

Status/Listing: No Information

Notes:

Origin: Europe

Species Description

General: Dicot-woody, perennial

Roots: primary

Shoots: alternate leaf arrangment; simple leaf type; dentate leaf margin; Pinnate leaf venation; oblanceolate leaf shape

Inflorescence: catkin

Flowers: unisexual, monoecious; incomplete, not petals; epigynous ovary position

Fruit: nut

Physiology: autotrophic; C3 C02 fixation

Reproduction: sexual, vegetative

Ecology & Natural History

Habitat: Naturalized along rivers and streams (Mohlenbrock, 1987).

ILPIN Notes: Regarding upland game birds food value, pertains to woodcock, grouse. Regarding small non-game bird food value, pertains especially to crossbills, pine siskins, redpolls, goldfinches. Regarding aquatic species food value, pertains to muskrat, beaver. Regarding upland game birds cover, pertains to woodcock, grouse. Good for various kinds of spoil banks.

Functional Relationships:

  • Pollinators: wind
  • Dispersal: wind
  • Mycorrhizae:
  • N2 fixation: Yes

Human Relationships:

  • Edibility [?] :
  • Showy Flowers:

Wildlife and Livestock Information:

  • Food Value: deer: poor; upland game birds: fair; small non-game bird: good; aquatic species: good
  • Cover Value: upland game birds: good

Coefficient of Conservatism (C-value) [?] :

  • Entire State:
  • Chicago Area:

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