Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

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.