Black Alder is monoecious, producing separate male (staminate) and female (pistillate) florets on the same tree. The sugar maple, A. saccharum, is a beautifully formed tree. most obvious is that it will have both male catkins and female cones on at the same time (as above) The male catkins look almost similar to that of hazel sometimes smaller, whilst the female organs look similar to tiny open pine cones but are approx 2cm in size. Reported to have a bitter and unpleasant taste, they are more useful for survival purposes. A rare fungus called Taphrina amentorum grows in the flowers and seeds of young alder catkins. The catkins which house the male flowers are up to 6cm long. Catkins start to appear on trees in the late winter months and provide a cheering sign that spring is on the way. MAPLE, ACER. They then produce galls, which harden as the cones ripen. However, some studies reveal that they might not prefer to eat them until mid-winter when other food options are scarce (Guglielmo and Karasov 1995). Tag Alder is a small, deciduous tree that may grow 10 to 15 feet tall. Mature male catkins are 2-3" long, reddish yellow, narrowly cylindrical, and drooping. Which trees have catkins? The wood of certain alder species is often used to smoke various … The female flower is a smaller red structure, about 1cm long and with many hair-like structures across the surface. Young catkins appear green before turning yellow. Catkins play an essential role in tree reproduction and can be found on hazel, silver birch and white willow trees among other species. Long catkins appear in spring, before the leaves, producing copious amounts of pollen. It is strongly astringent, the leaves and bark containing 16 percent tannin. Traditionally, alder has been used as a vulnerary (wound healer) and stomatic. The flowers are often made into a soothing, tasty tea. To make sure you have identified Alder correctly, there are a few helpful key features. Ruffed grouse can and do eat the seeds, buds, and catkins from speckled alder (USDA NRCS 2019). Brookside alder (Alnus serrulata), a species of the eastern and southeastern USA, has sometimes been included as a subspecies of A. incana but is now generally regarded as a separate species. "Alder is a rarely used botanical medicine at the time, though it is a powerful remedy for a number of conditions. Red alder seeds attract many bird and small mammal species including redpolls, siskins, goldfinches, and mice. The bark is smooth and gray-brown with a fluted appearance. It produces small brown cone-like strobiles less than an inch (2cm) long that remain on the tree through the winter. The fruits of the brown cup fungus appear in spring, on alder catkins after they have fallen to the ground. Hybrids occur where brookside alder and speckled alder grow together. Catkins are easily identified by its long, slim shape and spiky texture. Galls are also induced on the leaves of alder by a mite called Eriophyes. The catkins of some alder species have a degree of edibility, and may be rich in protein. The young leaves in spring are pleasant to eat raw or lightly cooked. It can be found naturally in wet areas including streambanks and bogs. The male florets are produced in clusters of 2-5 catkins. Most of the seeds remain on the tree well into The leaves are alternate with a wavy, toothed margin and hairy underside. ... Use by wildlife: Finches eat the seeds of Red Alder. Alder (Alnus glutinosa) Each alder tree has both male and female flowers. The linden (or basswood) is often a well-shaped tall tree, with grey fissured bark. A mixture of red alder sap and charcoal was used by ... Wildlife: Deer and elk eat the leaves, twigs, and buds. 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