Taxonomy

Alnus glutinosa | Alder | Fearnóg

Distribution

Status

Conservation status

Not protected

Native status

Native

Species Biology

Identification

Flowers: March – April; catkins, resembling small pine cones when old

Fruits: Small winged seeds

Twigs & bark: Twigs with raised orange spots; bark dark brown, fissured when mature

Habitat

River-side and damp woods, basic to moderately acidic soils

Life cycle

Perennial

Ex-situ conservation

Not known

Use

Stabilisation/anti-erosion

Vegetative nature

Woody

Distribution

World distribution(GBIF)

Irish distribution

Widespread and common

Temporal change

Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024

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Further information

Fast growing tree, quick to colonise. The wood is slow to rot, and is often used to make sluice gates in canals and were used to make round shields in ancient times.

Alnus glutinosa is a nitrogen-fixer. It has symbiotic relationship with a bacterium which are found in its root nodules. This improves the fertility of the soil. It is also an important pioneer species in ecological succession. The wood has been used for building, especially in water logged conditions due to its durability.

References

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