Alnus viridis (Chaix) DC.
green alder
Shrub 0.75-2 m high, multi-stemmed and tending to layer. Shoots and lvs ± glandular-viscid when young. Winter buds sessile, dark. Petiole 1-2 cm long. Lamina to c. 7 × 6 cm, broadly ovate, broadly elliptic, or suborbicular, hairy beneath on veins, at least when young, irregularly serrate; veins in 5-6 pairs; base broadly cuneate to rounded; apex acute. Buds sessile, enclosing ♀ catkins in winter. ♂ catkins few at shoot apices, 3-6 cm long, pendulous, opening at lf flush; bracts c. 1.5 mm long, broadly ovate or suborbicular, often reddish where exposed. ♀ catkins all pedunculate, to 6 in loose racemes, 7-10 mm long at anthesis, narrow-cylindric, glandular-scaly. Cones 6-10 mm long, broadly ellipsoid when open, with horizontal bracts. Nutlet c. 2 mm long, broadly ellipsoid; wing as wide as nut.
S.:
Mountains of C. and S. Europe 1988
High country slopes and screes.
FL Oct-Nov.
Green alder has been extensively planted in high country areas; it has often proved very successful and forms dense low thickets. Because some of these stands now appear natural, A. viridis has been included here. Natural regeneration is however, very limited despite the plentiful production of viable seed. Some of the stands show great variation and it is possible that this is partly owing to hybridisation or introgression with 2 other shrubby spp., A. crispa (Aiton) Pursh and A. sinuata (Regel) Rydb.
