Alnus rubra – “Red Alder”

The Alnus Rubra, also know as the Red Alder, is a member of the order Fagales. Its taxonomic family is the Betulaceae.(Plants.usda.gov, n.d.) Alnus Rubras are deciduous trees often with lichen covering its scaly bark. (Linnet.geog.ubc.ca, 2014) They are among the most common deciduous trees in southern British Columbia. (Linnet.geog.ubc.ca, 2014) Rubras leaves tend to have shallow rounded teeth on their sides and are an oval shape, (For.gov.bc.ca, n.d.) when the leaves fall to the ground they provide a natural compost layer on the floor. (For.gov.bc.ca, n.d.) Red Alder’s have lifespan of roughly 70 years and tend to grow in areas rich with nutrients like stream banks. (For.gov.bc.ca, n.d.) (Owic.oregonstate.edu, 1995)

 

Location:

The range of Red Alder’s stretches from Alaska to southern California and generally within a hundred miles front the western coast as well as low elevations. (Owic.oregonstate.edu, 1995) It also tends to be near many dense shrubs and low level plants such as Salmon berries and various species of ferns. (For.gov.bc.ca, n.d.)

Habitat:

The Red Alder dislikes shape and tends to occupy recently disturbed areas. (For.gov.bc.ca, n.d.) Red Alder’s are also generally restricted to Riparian zones (Owic.oregonstate.edu, 1995) and are most populous in floodplains, stream banks, (For.gov.bc.ca, n.d.) moist woodlands, and clear cuts in lowland areas. (Linnet.geog.ubc.ca, 2014)

Other Attributes:

Red Alders due to their dislike of shade tend to hinder the growth of coniferous trees that it grows above, (Linnet.geog.ubc.ca, 2014) British Columbian Aboriginal peoples traditionally used the bark of Red Alders for dying woods, fabrics, hair, and skin. Further, Red Alder was used to smoke meat and the wood and bark would often be used as and in traditional medicines. (Linnet.geog.ubc.ca, 2014)

Bibliography: 

For.gov.bc.ca,. Red alder. Retrieved 17 November 2014, from http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/documents/treebook/redalder.htm

Linnet.geog.ubc.ca,. (2014). E-Flora BC Atlas Page. Retrieved 17 November 2014, from http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Alnus+rubra

Owic.oregonstate.edu,. (1995). Red Alder (Alnus rubra) | Oregon Wood Innovation Center | Oregon State University. Retrieved 17 November 2014, from http://owic.oregonstate.edu/red-alder-alnus-rubra

Plants.usda.gov,. Plants Profile for Alnus rubra (red alder). Retrieved 17 November 2014, from http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ALRU2

Written by James Blumhagen