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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Alnus serrulata [= Alnus incana, Alnus noveboracensis]

Tag Alder, Hazel Alder, Common Alder, Smooth Alder

Scientific Name:

Alnus serrulata [= Alnus incana, Alnus noveboracensis]

Genus:

Alnus

Species Epithet:

serrulata

Common Name:

Tag Alder, Hazel Alder, Common Alder, Smooth Alder

Plant Type

Tree

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Betulaceae (Birch Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

12-36 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

Red, Yellow, Brown

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist

Bloom Time:

Feb, March

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Streambanks, bogs, wet thickets

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Has some wildlife value

Landscape Value:

Recommended and Available

State Rank:

S5: Secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Summer leaves and fruit

image

Jack Spruill, Hampstead, July 2010

Alders are nitrogen-fixing and can be used to reclaim barren ground. Although they can become small trees, Tag Alders are most often shrubs.

Male Catkins with the small female flowers above.

Both the male catkins and the female flowers form in fall and open very early in spring, mostly before the leaves come out.

image

Jack Spruill, Hampstead, Jan, 2009

Cone-like fruits

Fruits persist in winter and, along with the persistent catkins, make a good ID mark.

image

Jack Spruill, Hampstead, Feb. 2009

Catkins in the snow

I think it is exciting to see early blooming plants buck the season and bloom in Jan and Feb - Jack Spruill

image

Jack Spruill, Hampstead, Feb 13, 2010

New spring growth and fruit from previous year

Jackson County, NC

The Scientific Name is Alnus serrulata [= Alnus incana, Alnus noveboracensis]. You will likely hear them called Tag Alder, Hazel Alder, Common Alder, Smooth Alder. This picture shows the New spring growth and fruit from previous year of Alnus serrulata [= Alnus incana, Alnus noveboracensis]

Bettina Darveaux

Developing fruit in early July.

Person County, NC

The Scientific Name is Alnus serrulata [= Alnus incana, Alnus noveboracensis]. You will likely hear them called Tag Alder, Hazel Alder, Common Alder, Smooth Alder. This picture shows the Developing fruit in early July. of Alnus serrulata [= Alnus incana, Alnus noveboracensis]

Bettina Darveaux

Close-up of last years "cones".

Person County, NC

The Scientific Name is Alnus serrulata [= Alnus incana, Alnus noveboracensis]. You will likely hear them called Tag Alder, Hazel Alder, Common Alder, Smooth Alder. This picture shows the Close-up of last years

Bettina Darveaux

Looking up through the canopy. Notice the alternately arranged leaves, this year's new fruit, and last years empty "cones".

Person County, NC

The Scientific Name is Alnus serrulata [= Alnus incana, Alnus noveboracensis]. You will likely hear them called Tag Alder, Hazel Alder, Common Alder, Smooth Alder. This picture shows the Looking up through the canopy. Notice the alternately arranged leaves, this year's new fruit, and last years empty

Bettina Darveaux

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



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