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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Alnus viridis is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from April to May. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
A. crispa. (Ait.)Pursh. A. sinuata.
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
Catkins - raw or cooked. A bitter taste[172].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
The bark is astringent, emetic, haemostatic, stomachic and tonic[172]. The bark was burnt as an inhalant in the treatment of rheumatism[257]. The ashes were also used as a tooth cleaner[257]. A decoction of the inner bark has been used as a carminative to reduce gas in the stomach and as a febrifuge[257]. A decoction of the plant has been used in a steam treatment to bring about menstruation - it has been used as an abortifacient[257]. A poultice of the leaves has been used to treat infected wounds or sores[257]. 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[257]. An infusion of the plant tops was given to children with poor appetites[257].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
An orange-red to brown dye can be obtained from the bark[257]. Nitrogen fixer.
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Prefers a heavy soil and a damp situation[1, 11]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. A useful plant for cold damp places[11]. Tolerates lime and very infertile sites[11, 200]. 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[200]. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is branching: a heart root, dividing from the crown into several primary roots going down and out [2-1].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Plant Propagation
Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe and only just covered[200]. 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[78]. 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.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
Coming Soon
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Alnus acuminata | Alder | Tree | 25.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Alnus cordata | Italian Alder | Tree | 25.0 |
5-9
| F | MH | SN | DMWe | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Alnus glutinosa | Alder, European alder , Common Alder, Black Alder | Tree | 25.0 |
3-7
| F | MH | SN | MWe | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| Alnus hirsuta | | Tree | 18.0 |
3-7
| | MH | SN | MWe | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Alnus incana | Grey Alder, Speckled alder, Thinleaf alder, White Alder | Tree | 18.0 |
2-6
| F | MH | SN | DMWe | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Alnus japonica | Japanese Alder | Tree | 22.0 |
4-8
| F | MH | SN | DMWe | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Alnus jorullensis | Mexican alder, Evergreen Alder | Tree | 25.0 |
7-12
| F | LMH | SN | MWe | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Alnus maritima | Seaside Alder, Beach Alder | Tree | 9.0 |
3-7
| M | MH | N | MWe | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Alnus maximowiczii | | Tree | 9.0 |
4-8
| | MH | SN | MWe | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Alnus nepalensis | Nepalese Alder | Tree | 22.0 |
8-11
| F | MH | SN | MWe | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Alnus nitida | West Himalayan Alder | Tree | 30.0 |
7-10
| | MH | SN | DMWe | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Alnus rhombifolia | White Alder | Tree | 12.0 |
8-11
| F | MH | SN | MWe | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Alnus rubra | Red Alder, Oregon Alder | Tree | 20.0 |
6-8
| F | MH | SN | MWe | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Alnus rugosa | Speckled Alder | Tree | 22.0 |
2-6
| F | MH | SN | MWe | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Alnus serrulata | Smooth Alder, Hazel alder | Shrub | 4.5 |
3-9
| | MH | N | MWe | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Alnus sinuata | Sitka Alder | Shrub | 4.0 |
2-9
| F | MH | SN | MWe | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Alnus tenuifolia | Mountain Alder, Thinleaf alder | Tree | 9.0 |
5-7
| F | MH | SN | MWe | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Alnus viridis crispa | American Green Alder | Shrub | 3.0 |
4-8
| | MH | SN | MWe | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
(Aiton.)Turrill.
Botanical References
11200270
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
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