Nut/Nutlet Producers

Latin name for Alder

Alnus

What is a unique feature that Alnus has in its roots?

Symbiotic relationshop with bacteria in soil that forms nodules on roots. Increases the nitrogen in the soil available.

What is another tree related to Alnus?

Betula - Birch

What kind of fruit do all Alders produce?

small brown cone-like structures.

Latin name for speckled alder?

Alnus incana

Common name for Alnus incana?

Speckled Alder

What is the distribution for Alnus incana?

Northern

Describe the habit of Alnus incana?

fast growing, multi stemmed shrub

What is a con of the habit of Alnus incana

forms extensive thickets, agressive, invasive in some areas.

Where does Alnus incana prefer to grow?

wet habits, along lakes, roadsides

Describe bark of Alnus incana?

reddish/brown smooth, lots of speckled lenticels. Becomes normal when older though

Describe the buds of all Alnus?

maroon/red buds, swollen, on stalks.

Describe the female/male structures of Alnus.

males are long drooping catkins (like birch), females are redish/small little flowers

Describe the leaf of Alnus incarna?

Double serrated, has big serrates and then smaller on them. resembles birch leaf

Whos leaf is this?

Alnus incana

Why do Alnus trees drop their leaves when theyre green?

Have enough nitrogen from their nitrogen bacteria in roots

Latin name for Smooth Alder

Alnus serrulata

Common name for Alnus serrulata

Smooth Alder

What environment do Alnus like?

wet areas, along ponds/streams

What is the habit of Alnus serrulata?

fast growing, multi stemmed, bush

What is the native range of Alnus serrulata?

More southern usa, down to florida. We have these more present on LI.

What is distinct about the female flowers of Alnis serrulata?

The female flowers point upright compared to the others who droop.

Describe the leaves of Alnus serrulata?

Leaves not as deeply “lobed” thick and leathery. Only single serrated.

What is interesting about the male/female parts of Alnus overwinter?

Alnus have preset male/female flowers created in August which overwinter and open next Fall.

Latin name for Black Alder

Alnus glutinosa

Common name for Alnust glutinosa

Black Alder

What is the distribution of Alnus glutinosa?

North Eastern

Which Alnus are native and which is not?

Alnus incana, Alnus serrulata are native and Alnus glutinosa is European.

Why is Alnus glutinosa commonly planted here?

Ornamental, os for restoration/erosion projects

What environment is Alnus glutinosa found in?

wet habits as well, but planted ornamentally in parks.

Describe the habit of Alnus glutinosa

fast growing, short lived, ONLY TREE, single/multi trunked, up to 60’.

Describe bark of Alnus glutinosa?

grey/green lenticels when young but becomes regular when older/furrows

Whos leaves are this?

Alnus serrulata

Why does Alnust glutinosa have its name?

glutinosa means resinous, and the bud and leaves are sticky when crushed

Describe the leaves the Alnus glutinosa?

more round, orbicular, flat disk, margins look wavy

Whos leaf is this?

Alnus glutinosa

Why is Alnus trees pioneer species?

They can inhabit an area that others cant. then others follow once the land is better.

What is this?

bacteria on Alnus roots that help supply nitrogen

Latin name for American Basswood?

Tilia americana var. americana

Common name for Tilia american var. americana

American Basswood/Linden

Describe the leaves of Tilia americana var. americana

serrated, heart shaped, uneven base

Where does basswood get its name from?

the fibrous tough inner bark , fiber derived from phloem

Are there three different Tilia americana species?

Some people say there are three different species, but for now its accepted there are three varieties - not enough differences

What is the growth habit of Tilia americana var. americana?

loves to grow multitrunked, large trunks, genetically same

Where does Tilia americana var. americana like to grow?

shade tolerant, grows fast, good in disturbed areas

Describe the bark of Tilia americana var. americana

The bark is smooth when its younger, but older gets distinctive vertical furrows seperated by broad flat ridges

Whos leaves are these?

Tilia americana var. americana

What do the young twigs on Tilia americana var. americana look like?

red young twigs/buds

Describe the flowers of Tilia americana var americana?

flowers are small, crow in clusters, cream colored, smell good = cymes

What is unique about about how the flowers are attached to Tilia americana var. americana?

attached by long stalk which is attached to bract

Describe the fruit that Tilia americana var. americana produce?

round balls, green to brown and nut like drupes.

What tree is this?

Tilia americana var. americana

What are the possible reasons that Tilia americana var. americana have showy bracts?

To help seed wind dispersal, show pollinators where the flowers are

What are the edible properties of Tilia americana var. americana?

early spring leaves are edibles and the flowers can be harvested and infused into water.

What fungus is this and what tree would you find it near?

Grows on fallen Tilia branches/twigs