Hazel Alder

TREES

GENUS/SPECIES

Alnus serrulata

FAMILY

Betulaceae

SYNONYMS

Common: Tag/Smooth Alder, Brookside Alder
Botanical: Alnus rugosa

DISTRIBUTION

Eastern US

S Maine southward to N Florida
N Florida westward to E Texas
E Texas northward to central Missouri
Missouri northeastward to Maine
Absent from most of Ohio and Lower Mississippi Valleys

Human Product Number - 69

Veterinary Product Number - 69

Comments

This species, commonly seen along stream banks and other moist areas at low elevations of the southeastern US, is also known as tag/smooth alder. It is a large shrub or small tree. Leaves are about 2 to 4 inches long and somewhat more than half as wide, with a wavy margin and fine teeth. Male catkins mature in the spring, and after releasing the wind-borne pollen, they fall off. Female catkins appear around the same period but ripen into small cones (a half-inch in length or less) later in the season.