Alnus

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Alnus

Alnus (/ˈælnəs/), commonly known as Alder, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Betulaceae. The genus comprises about 35 species of monoecious trees and shrubs, a few reaching a large size, distributed throughout the north temperate zone.

Etymology

The name Alnus is derived from the ancient Latin name for the Alder tree. The Latin name was borrowed from a Proto-Indo-European language, and is related to the English word "elder".

Description

Alnus species are characterized by simple, alternate leaves with serrated margins, and by their small, wind-pollinated flowers. The flowers are catkins with elongate male catkins on the same plant as shorter female catkins, often before leaves appear; they are mainly wind-pollinated, but also visited by bees to a small extent.

Species

There are about 35 species in the genus Alnus, including:

Uses

Alnus trees are commonly used in forestry for timber and paper production. The wood is also used for smoking fish and meat. Some species are used in landscaping for their ornamental value.

Related Terms

  • Betulaceae: The family to which Alnus belongs.
  • Monoecious: A term describing species in which male and female reproductive structures are present on the same plant.
  • Catkin: A slim, cylindrical flower cluster, with inconspicuous or no petals.

External links

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