Oregon alder

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Oregon alder
• red alder
• western alder

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Alnus rubra var. pinnatisecta
• Alnus rubra f. pinnatisecta
• Alnus oregana
• Alnus incana var. rubra

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Alnus rubra, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Fagales and the family Betulaceae. It is further categorized under the genus Alnus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range that spans several distinct regions across the Northern Hemisphere. In Europe, its presence can be noted within the territory of Great Britain. Moving across the Atlantic, it is found in Subarctic America, specifically within Alaska and the Yukon. The distribution continues southward into Western Canada, where it is prevalent in British Columbia. Finally, its range extends into the Northwestern United States, specifically reaching into Idaho.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Alnus rubra is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over many successive growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a structural adaptation that supports its growth into a substantial tree form. This phanerophyte life strategy enables the plant to maintain significant biomass and structural complexity, ensuring its long-term survival and ability to compete within its ecological niche.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Alnus rubra is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, reaching a significant mean height of 33.6 m. As a self-supporting species, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit epiphytic behavior, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. The plant grows independently, showing no parasitic tendencies, and is defined by its robust, woody structure.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

33.6 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Alnus rubra is characterized by a highly specialized metabolic framework adapted for nitrogen-poor environments, primarily driven by its photosynthetic pathway, which follows the C3 mechanism. As a C3 plant, it utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide directly through the enzyme RuBisCO, a process that is most efficient under the temperate, moist, and relatively cool conditions typically found in its native coastal and riparian habitats. Complementing this carbon fixation strategy is a sophisticated symbiotic relationship with actinorhizal bacteria of the genus Frankia, which reside within specialized root nodules. This nitrogen-fixing symbiosis is a critical physiological driver, allowing the plant to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, thereby fueling the production of nitrogen-rich photosynthetic enzymes and supporting rapid biomass accumulation. Furthermore, the plant exhibits robust physiological adaptations to water availability and nutrient cycling, maintaining high transpiration rates and efficient stomatal conductance to support its C3 metabolic demands during the growing season.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Alnus rubra is characterized by the production of small seeds that exhibit specific physical and dispersal traits. The seed mass within the species shows a narrow range of variation, with a minimum mass of 0.00068 g and a maximum mass of 0.002 g, resulting in a calculated mean seed mass of 0.000766 g. Regarding the dispersal strategy, the plant utilizes an anemochorous syndrome, meaning its seeds are primarily adapted for dispersal via wind.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Seed mass max:

0.002 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000766 g

Seed mass min:

0.00068 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Alnus rubra has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betulin, Ellagitannin, Oregonin.

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

Ellagitannin

1. Frontiers in plant science

Oregonin

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Activities

Alnus rubra has 12 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include AntiHIV, Anticarcinomic, Antifeedant, Antiflu, Antiinflammatory.

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke

Aphidifuge

1. Dr. Duke

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke

Hypolipemic

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations

Alnus rubra has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include bark, bark and catkins, catkins.

Bark

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Bark and catkins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Catkins

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology