Alnus viridis crispa
American Green Alder
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
- 3 m
- Fertility
- Wind
- Flower type
- monoecious
- Pollinators
- Wind
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Catkins - raw or cooked. A bitter taste[3].
- Plant part
- Flowers
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.
The bark is astringent, emetic, haemostatic, stomachic and tonic[3]. The bark was burnt as an inhalant in the treatment of rheumatism[5]. The ashes were also used as a tooth cleaner[5]. A decoction of the inner bark has been used as a carminative to reduce gas in the stomach and as a febrifuge[5]. A decoction of the plant has been used in a steam treatment to bring about menstruation - it has been used as an abortifacient[5]. A poultice of the leaves has been used to treat infected wounds or sores[5]. The poultice was left in place over the wound until the leaves stuck to it and was then pulled off, removing the 'poison' with it[5]. An infusion of the plant tops was given to children with poor appetites[5].
- Product or use
- Abortifacient
- Product or use
- Appetizer
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Emetic
- Product or use
- Emmenagogue
- Product or use
- Haemostatic
- Product or use
- Poultice
- Product or use
- Skin
- Product or use
- Stomachic
- Product or use
- Tonic
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An orange-red to brown dye can be obtained from the bark[5].
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Dental care
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Secondary canopy
Environment
- Range
- Eastern N. America - Labrador to Alaska and Newfoundland and southwards.
- Habitat
- Rocky shores, slopes and mountains[7]. Singly or in thickets along streams, lakeshores, coasts, and bog or muskeg margins, or on sandy or gravelly slopes or flats, from sea level to 2000 metres[6].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- high
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- 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[4]. 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[8]. 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. A useful plant for cold damp places[2]. Tolerates lime and very infertile sites[2][4]. 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[4].
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
Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Flora of N. America http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/
Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00