Alnus viridis

Green Alder

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Common name

Green Alder

Scientific name

Alnus viridis (Chaix.) D.C.

Conservation status and threats

NOT protected species in Bulgaria.

Description and identification

Alnus viridis is a deciduous shrub or small tree. It forms many prostrate to ascending stems, and normally reaches a height of between 0.5 to 3 m. In ideal conditions it can live more than 50 years. The bark is thin and from grey to blue-grey colour. The leaves are alternate, sticky when young, from 7 to 14cm long and from 3 to 10cm wide. The flowers are monoecious with separate male and female catkins on the same plant. Flowering occurs in early or later spring depending on the elevation and latitude, while seeds mature between mid-September and December. Pollination occurs mainly by wind. The seeds are small, 1-2 mm long, light brown with a narrow encircling wing. Blooms May-July^[1].

Distribution in Bulgaria

In the mountains Western and Central Stara Planina, Vitosha, Rila; between 1300-2100 meters altitude^[2].

References

[1] Mauri, A., Caudullo, G., 2016. Alnus viridis in Europe: distribution, habitat, usage and threats. In: San-Miguel-Ayanz, J., de Rigo, D., Caudullo, G., Houston Durrant, T., Mauri, A. (Eds.), European Atlas of Forest Tree Species. Publ. Off. EU, Luxembourg, pp. e01f0e4+.

[2] Китанов, Б. 1966. В: Флора на Народна Република България, том III, издателство на БАН, София.

Alnus viridis на български

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