Alnus- Alder

Question 1

Alnus

Answer 1

Alder

Question 2

Alnus hirsuta

Answer 2

‘Prairie Horizon’ Manchurian Alder

Question 3

‘Prairie horizon’ manchurian Alder

Answer 3

same family as birch
not commonly planted but increasing in popularity; medium headed street tree, park and school tree
tallest in saskatoon about 8 m tall
ratians pyramidal shape for many years- eventually gets round headed
medium sized tree
single trunk
will tolerate drier conditions but not drought

Question 4

‘Prairie Horizon’ Manchurian Alder- leaves

Answer 4

simple
most often doubly serrate leaf margins
elliptical-lanceolate ovate shape
acute base and tip
dark green all summer
alternate

Question 5

‘Prairie Horizon’ Manchurian Alder- buds

Answer 5

alternate
buds covered by two valvate scales
usually on short stalks; not attached directly to the twig

Question 6

‘Prairie Horizon’ Manchurian Alder- Inflorescence

Answer 6

monoecious
both male and female catkins formed in late summer
expand in early spring before or as leaves form
woody catkins can be retained for a few years
seeds are obovate samaras (very much like birch)

Question 7

‘Prairie Horizon’ Manchurian Alder- seeds

Answer 7

Seeds are obovate samaras
winged samara fruit, but wings often small/not obvious

Question 8

‘Prairie Horizon’ Manchurian Alder- bark/stems

Answer 8

New growth brown and quite hairy, turning smooth gray with age several horizontal striped lenticels
smooth gray bark
will widen and develop ridges with time

Question 9

Other Alnus

Answer 9

Alnus incana
Alnus crispa

Question 10

Alnus incana

Answer 10

native to SK- find it on river banks, a shrub

Question 11

Alnus crispa

Answer 11

Green Alder

Question 12

Green Alder

Answer 12

native shrub found along rivers more towards the Boreal forest and widespread throughout the Boreal forest and north
food source for lots of wildlife often near jack pine
not a common landscape plant (high moisture requirements- well drained, coarse textured soils close to water sources)