Alnus nitida
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Alnus genus in the family Betulaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Betulaceae
- Genus
- Alnus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 30 m
- Fertility
- Wind
- Flower type
- monoecious
- Pollinators
- Wind
Uses
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A decoction of the bark is applied externally to treat swellings and body pains[6].
- Product or use
- Astringent
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Tannin is obtained from the bark, it is used in dyeing[3][4][6]. Wood - soft, even grained, hard to cut. Used for construction and furniture[3][4][6].
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Wood
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Canopy
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Himalayas.
- Habitat
- By rivers and streams, 600 - 1200 metres, occasionally to 2700 metres[3].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- high
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- loamy, clay, heavy clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe and only just covered[5]. Spring sown seed should also germinate successfully so long as it is not covered[200, K]. The seed should germinate in the spring as the weather warms up. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. If growth is sufficient, it is possible to plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer, otherwise keep them in pots outdoors and plant them out in the spring. If you have sufficient quantity of seed, it can be sown thinly in an outdoor seed bed in the spring[7]. The seedlings can either be planted out into their permanent positions in the autumn/winter, or they can be allowed to grow on in the seed bed for a further season before planting them. Cuttings of mature wood, taken as soon as the leaves fall in autumn, outdoors in sandy soil.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a heavy soil and a damp situation[1][2]. Grows well in heavy clay soils[2]. Tolerates drier soils than most members of this genus[5]. Succeeds in very infertile sites[5]. Trees probably tolerate temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c and so will not succeed outdoors in the colder areas of the country. A very ornamental tree[1]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil micro-organisms, these form nodules on the roots of the plants and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[5].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00
Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press 1945-00-00
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00