FNPS Plant Database

Alnus serrulata

hazel alder, smooth alder
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

hazel alder, smooth alder

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Alnus serrulata

Family:

Betulaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

Shrub

Size:

5–30 ft tall by 5–10 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

yellow

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

Deciduous

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Interesting Bark

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Informal specimen plant or could be used as a mass planting or hedge in moist areas. It is usually a multi-stemmed tall shrub.

Considerations:

None.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Friends

Propagation:

From seed or division.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Aquatic -to- Somewhat moist, no flooding

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam

Soil pH:

Acidic

Suitable to Grow In:

8A, 8B

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Vouchered In:

Distribution
Vouchered
Not vouchered
Selected
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Starting…
Map coded by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes (Paynes Prairie Chapter)

Ecology

Wildlife:

The Harvestor ( Feniseca tarquinius ) is carnivorous on the Wooly Alder Aphid.

Browsed by deer.

Native Habitats:

Swamps, river floodplains

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

It forms root nodules with a symbiont fungus to fix its own nitrogen; so it grows well in poor or sterile soil. Its persistent fruit looks like a very small pine cone.
FNPS Plant Print

Citations:

Minno, M., J. Butler, and D. Hall. (2005). Florida Butterfly Caterpillars and Their Host Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL.


Wunderlin, R. P, B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL.

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