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Alnus viridis crispa
  • American Green Alder

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

Niche
  • Secondary canopy
    Secondary canopy
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • 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
  • light shade
    Light 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
  • 4
    Zone 4
    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 viridis crispa has 0 edible uses listed
Alnus viridis crispa has 0 material uses listed
Alnus viridis crispa has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Catkins - raw or cooked. A bitter taste[1].

Flowers

Unknown use

Material uses

An orange-red to brown dye can be obtained from the bark[2].

Unknown part

Dye
Dental care

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The bark is astringent, emetic, haemostatic, stomachic and tonic[1]. The bark was burnt as an inhalant in the treatment of rheumatism[2]. The ashes were also used as a tooth cleaner[2].

A decoction of the inner bark has been used as a carminative to reduce gas in the stomach and as a febrifuge[2]. A decoction of the plant has been used in a steam treatment to bring about menstruation - it has been used as an abortifacient[2]. A poultice of the leaves has been used to treat infected wounds or sores[2]. 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[2].

An infusion of the plant tops was given to children with poor appetites[2].

Unknown part

Abortifacient
Appetizer
Astringent
Emetic
Emmenagogue
Haemostatic
Poultice
Skin
Stomachic
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Secondary canopy

Ecological Functions

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[3]. 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[4]. 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 viridis crispa. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a heavy soil and a damp situation[5][6]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. A useful plant for cold damp places[6]. Tolerates lime and very infertile sites[6][3]. 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[3].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Alnus viridis crispa. 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 viridis crispa.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Alnus viridis crispa
Genus
Alnus
Family
Betulaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1]
Medicinal uses
[1][2]
Material uses & Functions
[2]
Botanic
[6][3][7]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Nitrogen fixer
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
high
Sun
full sun
Shade
light 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
    3 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Wind
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    monoecious











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.62.72.82.9 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    4. ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    5. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    7. ? [Flora of N. America] ()

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-43" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.


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    Facts about "Alnus viridis crispa"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyBetulaceae +
    Belongs to genusAlnus +
    Functions asNitrogen fixer +
    Has common nameAmerican Green Alder +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFlowers +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeWind +
    Has flowers of typeMonoecious +
    Has hardiness zone4 +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useDye + and Dental care +
    Has mature height3 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAbortifacient +, Appetizer +, Astringent +, Emetic +, Emmenagogue +, Haemostatic +, Poultice +, Skin +, Stomachic + and Tonic +
    Has search namealnus viridis crispa + and x +
    Has shade toleranceLight 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 viridis crispa +
    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 +