grey alder

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• gray alder
• grey alder
• hoary alder
• speckled alder
• tag alder

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Alnus glutinosa var. incana
• Betula incana
• Alnus februaria var. incana
• Betula alnus var. incana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fagales and family Betulaceae, it is classified under the genus Alnus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the borders of Denmark and throughout Finland. The species is also present in the Faroe Islands, known locally as Føroyar. Furthermore, its range extends to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. These locations highlight its preference for the northern European climate.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Alnus incana is defined by its ability to thrive across diverse topographical landscapes, ranging from low-lying forest ecosystems and dense forest edges to more rugged hills and mountainous terrain. It is a versatile species capable of colonizing various environments, including managed landscapes such as parks, where it integrates into both wild and semi-natural settings. As a pioneer species, it frequently occupies transitional zones and disturbed areas within these habitats, often playing a critical role in soil stabilization and nutrient cycling. Its distribution across varying elevations allows it to adapt to a range of microclimates, provided there is sufficient moisture to support its growth within these forested and montane ecological niches.

Habitat :

forest,forestedges,hills,mountains,parks

Life history

The life history of Alnus incana is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its buds are located on aerial shoots well above the ground, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit. The plant follows a deciduous pattern, shedding its foliage annually as part of its seasonal cycle. Its life strategy is further defined by its classification as a phanerophyte, ensuring its reproductive and vegetative structures remain elevated during its developmental stages.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Alnus incana is characterized by its growth form, which primarily manifests as a woody tree or shrub. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a climber or a liana, and it maintains an independent lifestyle rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte, typically occupying terrestrial habitats. The stature of the species is quite variable, with plant heights ranging from a minimum of 3 m to a maximum of 24 m, though it reaches a mean height of approximately 8.532 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

24 m

Plant height mean:

8.532 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Alnus incana is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which is typical for many temperate woody species. The plant exhibits a mean leaf size of approximately 27.2331 cm², facilitating efficient light interception within its ecological niche. It is classified as a non-carnivorous organism, relying on traditional autotrophic methods for nutrient acquisition rather than the capture of prey. Furthermore, its leaf structure is defined by a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 205.15 cm²/g, reflecting a physiological strategy that balances leaf thickness and surface area for optimized gas exchange and resource management.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf size mean:

27.2331 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

205.15 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Alnus incana is characterized by a sexual process that is bisexual in nature, although it does not utilize asexual reproduction. The flowering period typically begins in March and concludes in April. The plant utilizes an abiotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on wind (anemophily) for the transfer of pollen. Self-fertilization is absent, ensuring genetic diversity through its pollination mechanism. The resulting fruit is classified as a dry, indehiscent achene. These fruits are highly prolific, containing more than 1,000 seeds per fruit. The seeds are characterized by a mean mass of approximately 0.0007647178 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.00032 g to a maximum of 0.0035 g. Furthermore, the seed volume is consistent at 0.79 mm³. For the distribution of its offspring, the plant employs an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, utilizing the wind to spread its seeds across the environment.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.0035 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0007647178 g

Seed mass min:

0.00032 g

Seed volume max:

0.79 mm³

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Alnus incana has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betulin, Flavonoids, LUPENONE, Phytol, betulinic acid.

Betulin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Scientific reports

LUPENONE

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Phytol

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

betulinic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

betulone

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

linoleic acid

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

linolenic acid

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

palmitic acid

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Activities

Alnus incana has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiapoptotic, Antioxidant.

Antiapoptotic

1. Scientific reports

Antioxidant

1. Scientific reports

Conditions

Alnus incana has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Cervical cancer, HeLa cells, obesity, sickle-cell anemia, thalassemia.

Cervical cancer

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Hela cells

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Obesity

1. Planta medica

Sickle-cell anemia

1. Scientific reports

Thalassemia

1. Scientific reports

Tuberculosis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Alnus incana has 9 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include DCM fraction, Methanolic extracts of the bark, butanol extract, dichloromethane and 80 % ethanol extracts, ethanolic extracts.

Dcm fraction

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Methanolic extracts of the bark

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Butanol extract

1. Scientific reports

Dichloromethane and 80 % ethanol extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethanolic extracts

1. Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology

Extracts

1. Planta medica

Gallery of dryocoetes alni

1. Fungal systematics and evolution

Methanolic extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Total extract

1. Scientific reports