Italian Alder

Italian alder forms a conical tree.

Alnus cordata

Birch family (Betulaceae)

Origin: Corsica, S. Italy

Description: Tree up to 28m, with a conical outline. Bark greyish. Leaves alternate, broadly ovate, base rounded or heart-shaped, margins with rounded teeth. Male flowers in pendulous catkins up to 12cm long, initially purple or green but becoming yellow as the pollen is shed. Female flowers in stalked clusters of 1 to3. Fruit an ovoid, woody cone 15-30mm long.

Cones ripen from green to brown.

Comments: The woody cone-like fruits persist on the tree until spring.

Similar trees:

• Common Alder