This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Alnus serrulata
  • Smooth Alder

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Alnus genus in the family Betulaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Secondary canopy
    Secondary canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Earth stabiliser
    Earth stabiliser
    There are no details available for this function.
  • Nitrogen fixer
    Nitrogen fixer
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementshigh
    High
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Loamy to Heavy clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 2
    Zone 2
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Alnus serrulata has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Alnus serrulata.

Material uses

Trees have extensive root systems and are sometimes planted on the banks of streams in order to prevent erosion[1]. The wood is soft and brittle, weighing 29lb per cubic foot[1]. It is of little commercial value[2].
There are no material uses listed for Alnus serrulata.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

A tea made from the bark is analgesic, astringent, blood purifier, diuretic, emetic and purgative[3][4][5]. It is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, the pain of childbirth, coughs, toothache and sore mouths[4]. Externally, it is used as an eye wash and a wash for hives, poison ivy rash, piles, swellings and sprains[4]. A decoction of the cones is astringent[3].

Unknown part

Astringent
Diuretic
Emetic
Ophthalmic
Purgative

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Secondary canopy

Ecological Functions

Earth stabiliser


Nitrogen fixer

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe and only just covered[6]. 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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Alnus serrulata. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a heavy soil and a damp situation[8][9]. Grows well in heavy clay soils[9]. Tolerates very infertile sites[6]. Requires a position in full sun, dying out when shaded by taller trees[2].

A fast-growing but short-lived tree[2]. This species is closely related to A. rugosa[9].

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[6].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Alnus serrulata. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Alnus serrulata.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Alnus serrulata
Genus
Alnus
Family
Betulaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[3][4][5]
Material uses & Functions
[1][2]
Botanic
[9][6]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Earth stabiliser, Nitrogen fixer
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
2
Heat Zone
?
Water
high
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    Secondary canopy
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    4.5 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Wind
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    monoecious

    "image:Alnus serrulata 4.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Alnus serrulata 4.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Alnus serrulata 4.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Alnus serrulata 4.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Alnus serrulata 4.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Alnus serrulata 4.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Alnus serrulata 4.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Alnus serrulata 4.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Alnus serrulata 4.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Alnus serrulata 4.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Alnus serrulata 4.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Alnus serrulata 4.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Alnus serrulata 4.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Alnus serrulata 4.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.2 Vines. R.A. Trees of North Texas University of Texas Press. ISBN 0292780206 (1982-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ISBN 0442238622 (1980-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    7. ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    8. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)

    "image:Alnus serrulata 4.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Alnus_serrulata&oldid=74960"
    Facts about "Alnus serrulata"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyBetulaceae +
    Belongs to genusAlnus +
    Functions asEarth stabiliser + and Nitrogen fixer +
    Has common nameSmooth Alder +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeWind +
    Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
    Has hardiness zone2 +
    Has imageAlnus serrulata 4.JPG +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height4.5 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAstringent +, Diuretic +, Emetic +, Ophthalmic + and Purgative +
    Has primary imageAlnus serrulata 4.JPG +
    Has search namealnus serrulata + and x +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teheavy clayture preferenceHeavy clay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameAlnus serrulata +
    Has water requirementshigh +
    Inhabits ecosystem nicheSecondary canopy +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +