Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa
Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa
Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa
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Taxon
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Taxon
Alnus
glutinosa
Common name:
Swartels, Alder, Black alder, Common alder, European alder
Family:
Betulaceae (Birch)
Synonym:
Alnus
glutinosa
var.
vulgaris
,
Alnus
vulgaris
,
Betula
alnus
var.
glutinosa
Distribution:
Asia, Europe
IUCN Red list:
Least concern
Comments:
The Common alder provides food and shelter to wildlife, with a number of insects, lichens and fungi being completely dependent on the tree. It is a pioneer species, colonising vacant land and forming mixed forests as other trees appear in its wake. Eventually it dies out of woodlands because the seedlings need more light than is available on the forest floor. As the Latin name glutinosa implies, the buds and young leaves are sticky with a resinous gum. They can be used as fly and flea catchers due to their sticky nature.
Links:
iSpot
•
Wikipedia
Locations
1:
Upper garden, beds bordering Van Riebeeck Street
(Uv)
• Accession: 1999-413 • Provenance: Unrecorded
Area
Individual