Drooping Alder

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Drooping Alder

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Alnus multinervis var. nikkoensis
• Alnaster pendulus
• Alnus multinervis
• Alnus firma var. multinervis
• Duschekia pendula

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, it is classified under the family Betulaceae and belongs to the genus Alnus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical range within the continent of Eastern Asia. Its natural habitat is primarily concentrated in the regions of Japan and Korea. Within these territories, it can be found growing in various local environments. This distribution highlights its importance to the biodiversity of these particular East Asian nations. Consequently, understanding its presence in Japan and Korea is essential for studying its ecological role.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Alnus pendula is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a life form that ensures its perennating buds are elevated well above the ground level to survive seasonal environmental stressors. Within this classification, it is specifically identified as a phanerophyte (Life_form_2) and a phanerophyte (Life_form_1), indicating a robust perennial growth habit where the woody structures remain dominant throughout its life cycle. As a tree, it follows a developmental trajectory starting from seed dispersal, typically via small, winged nutlets, which germinate in moist or riparian soils. The plant progresses through juvenile stages to establish a significant woody biomass, utilizing its specialized nitrogen-fixing symbiotic relationship with Frankia bacteria to thrive in nutrient-poor substrates. Throughout its adult life, it maintains its stature through perennial woody growth, ensuring that its reproductive organs and vegetative buds remain protected above the soil surface during dormant periods.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Alnus pendula is characterized by its robust growth form as a tree, which possesses a predominantly woody structure. As a self-supporting organism, it does not exhibit any climbing habits, whether obligatory or facultative, and instead relies on its own structural integrity for vertical development. The plant functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic behavior, and is categorized as a terrestrial species rather than an epiphyte.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Alnus pendula has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Hirsutanone, Oregonin.

Hirsutanone

1. European review for medical and pharmacological sciences

Oregonin

1. European review for medical and pharmacological sciences

Conditions

Alnus pendula has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include MRSA, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Mrsa

1. European review for medical and pharmacological sciences

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus

1. European review for medical and pharmacological sciences

Preparations

Alnus pendula has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include bark EtOH extract.

Bark etoh extract

1. European review for medical and pharmacological sciences