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Oregon Alder

Alnus rubra Bong.

Associations

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Foodplant / parasite
hypophyllous uredium of Melampsoridium betulinum parasitises live leaf of Alnus rubra
Remarks: season: 8-10
Other: unusual host/prey

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Comments

provided by eFloras
Alnus rubra is the largest alder in North America north of Mexico; it often forms extensive stands along streams and on low-lying flood plains in the Pacific Northwest. The strongly revolute margins of its leaf blades make it easily distinguished from all of the other alders in the flora. It is an important commercial tree; the wood is used to make inexpensive furniture, small wooden items, and paper pulp.

Native Americans used various parts of plants of Alnus rubra medicinally as a purgative, an emetic, for aching bones, headaches, coughs, biliousness, stomach problems, scrofula sores, tuberculosis, asthma, and eczema, and as a general panacea (D. E. Moerman 1986).

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Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
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Flora of North America Vol. 3 in eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed Nov 12, 2008.
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Description

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Trees , to 28 m; trunks often several, crowns narrow or pyramidal. Bark gray, smooth, darkening and breaking into shallow rectangular plates in age; lenticels inconspicuous. Winter buds stipitate, ellipsoid, 6--10 mm, apex rounded, long; stalks 2--8 mm; scales 2--3, outer 2 equal and valvate, usually heavily resin-coated. Leaf blade ovate to elliptic, 6--16 × 3--11 cm, leathery, base broadly cuneate to rounded, margins strongly revolute, deeply doubly serrate or crenate, with distinctly larger secondary teeth, apex acute to obtuse; surfaces abaxially glabrous to sparsely pubescent. Inflorescences formed season before flowering and exposed during winter; staminate catkins in 1 or more clusters of 2--6, 3.5--14 cm; sistillate catkins in 1 or more clusters of 3--8. Flowering before new growth in spring. Infructescences ovoid to nearly globose, 1--3.5 × 0.6--1.5 cm; peduncles 1--10 mm. Samaras ovate or elliptic, wings much narrower than body, irregularly elliptic to obovate, leathery. 2 n = 28.
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Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
bibliographic citation
Flora of North America Vol. 3 in eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed Nov 12, 2008.
source
Flora of North America @ eFloras.org
editor
Flora of North America Editorial Committee
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eFloras.org
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Distribution

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B.C., Yukon; Alaska, Calif., Idaho, Oreg., Wash.
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Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
bibliographic citation
Flora of North America Vol. 3 in eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed Nov 12, 2008.
source
Flora of North America @ eFloras.org
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Flora of North America Editorial Committee
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Flowering/Fruiting

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Flowering early spring.
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Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
bibliographic citation
Flora of North America Vol. 3 in eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed Nov 12, 2008.
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Flora of North America @ eFloras.org
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Flora of North America Editorial Committee
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Habitat

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Stream banks, moist flood plains, lake shores, wet slopes, and sandy, open coasts; 0--300m.
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Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
bibliographic citation
Flora of North America Vol. 3 in eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed Nov 12, 2008.
source
Flora of North America @ eFloras.org
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Flora of North America Editorial Committee
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Synonym

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Alnus oregona Nuttall; A. rubra var. pinnatisecta Starker
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Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
bibliographic citation
Flora of North America Vol. 3 in eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed Nov 12, 2008.
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Flora of North America @ eFloras.org
editor
Flora of North America Editorial Committee
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Common Names

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
red alder
Oregon alder
western alder
Pacific Coast alder
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Cover Value

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
Red alder dominated early seral communities within recently clearcut
Douglas-fir forests are favorable habitat for black-tailed deer. Red
alder/thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus) stands in Oregon are preferred by
black-tailed deer during the summer and early fall when daytime
temperatures are highest [30]. These stands are generally avoided in
the winter.
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Description

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More info for the term: tree

Red alder is the largest American alder. It is a rapidly growing,
short-lived, medium-sized, deciduous tree, generally with one straight
distinct trunk. Red alder reaches a maximum height of about 120 feet
(37 m) with a maximum trunk diameter of about 32 inches (80 cm).
However, mature trees are typically from 80 to 100 feet (24-30 m) tall
and 14 to 18 inches (36-46 cm) in diameter [14,25,34,59]. Maximum age is
one hundred years [58]. Trees growing in the Puget Sound area exhibit
the following age-growth characteristics [14,34]:

Age Height Diameter Breast Height
(years) (feet/meters) (inches/centimeters)

5 18 / 5.5 ------
10 40 / 12.2 ------
20 65 / 19.8 ------
30 82 / 25.0 11 / 27.9
40 90 / 27.4 13 / 33.0
50 98 / 29.9 16 / 40.6
60 105 / 32.0 18 / 45.7

Red alder has thin (less than 0.75 inch [1.9 cm]), smooth gray-whitish
mottled bark, which is often covered with green moss. The root system
is shallow, but wind throw is seldom a problem, since the leaves are
absent during winter and early spring when winds are the strongest and
when soils are saturated with moisture [59]. Male and female flowers
occur on the same tree in catkins. The drooping staminate catkins are
up to 5 inches (12 cm) long and clustered near the end of a twig. The
pistillate catkins are erect, 0.6 to ).8 inch (1.5-2 cm) long, turning
woody and conelike at maturity [14,26].

Red alder is closely related to white alder (Alnus rhombifolia), and the
two species are difficult to differentiate when growing together.
However, their distribution and habitats do not overlap to any great
extent. In the summer, leaf characteristics can be used to separate
these alders, but in the winter proper identification is based on many
subtle points. Several keys exist for proper identification.
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Distribution

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
Red alder is confined to the Pacific Coast region from southeast Alaska
to southern California. Although there is an isolated population
growing along streams in northern Idaho, it ordinarily occurs no further
inland than 100 miles (160 km) at elevations below 2,500 feet (762 m)
[16,24,33]. Red alder is cultivated in Hawaii [71].
license
cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Fire Ecology

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More info for the terms: fire regime, litter, seed

Red alder's bark, although thin, is sufficiently fire resistant to
protect trees from light surface fires. The foliage and leaf litter do
not carry fires well [1,16]. Red alder stands often lack flammable
understory debris and are often on moist sites which burn infrequently
[14,16]. Red alder revegetates burned areas via seed from off-site plants
[35].

FIRE REGIMES :
Find fire regime information for the plant communities in which this
species may occur by entering the species name in the FEIS home page under
"Find FIRE REGIMES".
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cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Fire Management Considerations

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More info for the terms: litter, natural

Fire hazard is generally low in red alder stands. Stands may be used as
natural fire breaks [67]. The thin litter permits easy construction of
firelines.
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Growth Form (according to Raunkiær Life-form classification)

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More info on this topic.

More info for the term: phanerophyte

Phanerophyte
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat characteristics

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
More info for the terms: density, forest, mesic, organic soils, shrubs, vine

Historical evidence suggests that the distribution of red alder was much
more restricted than it is today; it occurred chiefly along streams and
in other wet areas [18]. Continual disturbance over the past 100 years,
primarily from logging, has created an abundance of open areas with bare
mineral soil (both are required for seedling establishment) which red
alder has colonized, thus increasing its acreage dramatically. This is
especially true of uplands, where it was previously infrequent.

Red alder is found primarily within Douglas-fir, western hemlock,
western redcedar, Sitka spruce, and grand fir forests in the Pacific
Northwest [16,66,67]. Individual trees or clumps of trees may occur to
varying degrees of mixture within these coniferous forests, but stand
development is best along streams, moist bottomlands, and moist lower
slopes [14,35,66,67]. In these mesic locations, pure stands are nearly
always even-aged. Along the southern portion of its range in California
and in the dry interior valleys of Washington and Oregon, red alder is
restricted to riparian deciduous forests [8,19]. In these areas it may
mix with white alder.

Soils: Red alder occurs on a wide variety of soil types ranging from
well-drained gravels and sands to poorly drained clay or organic soils
[25]. The best stands are found on deep, well-drained loams or sandy
loams of alluvial origin [14,16]. Stands also grow well on residual or
colluvial soils of volcanic origin [14]. Soils under red alder stands
develop higher available and total nitrogen contents than soils under
adjacent coniferous stands because of red alder's ability to fix
nitrogen. Nitrogen accretion rates vary with stand location, vigor,
age, and density, with rates varying from 40 to 300 pounds of nitrogen
per acre (45-355 kg/ha) per year [14,25]. As soil nitrogen increases,
soil pH under red alder stands drops. In coastal Oregon, pure alder
stands had soil pH values averaging 4.3 to 4.4, while adjacent conifer
stands had pH values averaging 5.3 [20]. Red alder leaves also contain
significant amounts of nitrogen. Leaves decompose rapidly, forming a
deep humus and thus improving soil structure [16].

Climate: Red alder grows in humid coastal climates characterized by
cool wet winters and warm dry summers. Mean annual precipitation ranges
from 16 to 220 inches (40-560 cm) [25]; precipitation occurs chiefly as
rain during the winter. Trees need more than 25 inches (64 cm) of
precipitation annually, and most stands are located on sites receiving
in excess of 40 inches (102 cm) [16].

Coniferous forest associates: Red alder grows both in pure stands and
in mixtures with native conifers [67]. Pure and mixed stands are mostly
even aged. Trees generally become established in forest openings
created from a disturbance. As stands develop and trees mature, they
prevent other red alder seedlings from becoming established, due to the
seedlings' shade intolerance. Common coniferous associates include:
Douglas-fir, western redcedar, western hemlock, grand fir, and Sitka
spruce. Red alder communities within coniferous forests contain a
number of deciduous trees and shrubs also. Deciduous trees and shrubs
include bigleaf maple, vine maple (Acer circinatum), Pacific willow
(Salix lasiandra), and bitter cherry (Prunus emarginata). Understory
shrubs and herbs include salmonberry, western thimbleberry, American
devilsclub (Oplopanax horridus), black elderberry (Sambucus racemosa),
trailing blackberry (Rhubus ursinus), Siberian minerslettuce (Montia
sibirica), and false lily-of-the-valley (Maianthemum dilatatum)
[19,21,67].

Deciduous riparian forest associates: In California, red alder chiefly
occurs in riparian forests where it often codominates with Sitka spruce,
redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), black cottonwood, bigleaf maple, and
Pacific willow [54,56]. Along larger rivers in Oregon and Washington,
red alder typically codominates with bigleaf maple, Oregon ash (Fraxinus
latifolia), black cottonwood, and willows (Salix spp.) [18,19]. Other
deciduous forest associates include Pacific wax-myrtle (Myrica
californica), Pacific red elder (Sambucus callicarpa), and California
laurel (Umbellularia californica) [18,56].

Elevation: Red alder is generally found no farther inland than 100
miles, at elevations below 2,500 feet. Elevational ranges for several
western states are presented below [16,33,34,48,66]:

from sea level to 500 feet (0-152 m) in CA
1,030-3,600 feet (314-1,097 m) in ID
sea level to 2,500 feet (0-762 m) in OR
sea level to 2,500 feet (0-762 m) in WA
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cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat: Cover Types

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This species is known to occur in association with the following cover types (as classified by the Society of American Foresters):

210 Interior Douglas-fir
221 Red alder
222 Black cottonwood - willow
223 Sitka spruce
224 Western hemlock
225 Western hemlock - Sitka spruce
226 Coastal true fir - hemlock
227 Western redcedar - western hemlock
228 Western redcedar
229 Pacific Douglas-fir
230 Douglas-fir - western hemlock
231 Port Orford-cedar
232 Redwood
244 Pacific ponderosa pine - Douglas-fir
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat: Ecosystem

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This species is known to occur in the following ecosystem types (as named by the U.S. Forest Service in their Forest and Range Ecosystem [FRES] Type classification):

FRES20 Douglas-fir
FRES21 Ponderosa pine
FRES22 Western white pine
FRES23 Fir - spruce
FRES24 Hemlock - Sitka spruce
FRES27 Redwood
FRES28 Western hardwoods
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Habitat: Plant Associations

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More info on this topic.

This species is known to occur in association with the following plant community types (as classified by Küchler 1964):

More info for the term: forest

K001 Spruce - cedar - hemlock forest
K002 Cedar - hemlock - Douglas-fir forest
K003 Silver fir - Douglas-fir forest
K005 Mixed conifer forest
K006 Redwood forest
K012 Douglas-fir forest
K013 Cedar - hemlock - pine forest
K025 Alder - ash forest
K029 California mixed evergreen forest
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Immediate Effect of Fire

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
Information regarding the effects of fire on red alder is lacking.
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Importance to Livestock and Wildlife

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
Red alder grows rapidly, often reaching heights of 35 feet (10 m) in 10
years; therefore, only young plants are available as browse. Leaves and
twigs of saplings are eaten by cattle, sheep, and goats [64], sometimes
in preference to other fairly good browse [57]. Deer and elk eat the
leaves, twigs, and buds of young red alder trees in fall, winter, and
early spring. Beavers eat the bark, and build dams and lodges with the
stems [64]. Alder (Alnus spp.) seeds are eaten by redpolls, siskins,
and goldfinches [42]. Red alder seeds are an important food for deer
mice, especially when other primary foods are difficult to obtain.
Seeds eaten off the snow after being dispersed [66].
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cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Key Plant Community Associations

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
More info for the terms: climax, codominant, forest, hardwood, shrub, woodland

Red alder communities, both upland and riparian, generally are found
within coniferous forests dominated by Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga
menziesii), western redcedar (Thuja plicata), western hemlock (Tsuga
heterophylla), grand fir (Abies grandis), and Sitka spruce (Picea
sitchensis) [18,19,67], or as components of deciduous forests of
floodplains or swamps [18,19]. Generally, five types of red alder
communities have been described [18,19,21,32,67]:

(1) Upland, pure even aged stands of red alder, with a dense shrub
undergrowth dominated by salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) or
elderberry (Sambucus melanocarpa), occurring within coniferous
forests.

(2) Upland mixed stands of red alder/other deciduous trees and
shrubs/conifers within coniferous forests less than 100 years
old, with red alder occurring as a dominant or codominant.

(3) Riparian red alder communities within coniferous forests.

(4) Mixed stands within deciduous riparian forests, red alder
occurring as codominant with black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa)
and bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum).

(5) In swamps often occurring with, or codominant with, western
redcedar. In this type of community, red alder appears to be a
climax species.

Red alder communities were primarily restricted to streams and wet areas
during presettlement times. Since then, disturbances such as logging
have provided an abundance of open sites with bare mineral soil, which
favor red alder colonization. Today red alder communities are common
throughout much of coastal Oregon and Washington.

Published classification schemes listing red alder as an indicator
species or as a dominant part of the vegetation in community types (cts)
or plant associations (pas) are presented below:

Area Classification Authority

AK general veg. cts Viereck & others 1992

CA hardwood forest & Barbour 1987
woodland cts

CA general veg. cts Thorne 1976

s CA general veg. cts Paysen & others 1980

nw CA,w Or,w WA general veg. cts Franklin 1979

OR: Siuslaw NF general veg. pas Hemstrom & Logan 1986

OR postburn veg. cts Bailey & Poulton 1968

s OR: Cascade Mtns forest pas Atzet & McCrimmon 1990

OR, WA general veg. cts Franklin & Dyrness 1973

Pacific NW general veg. cts Hall 1984
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Life Form

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More info for the term: tree

Tree
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Management considerations

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More info for the term: forest

Although long-term economic returns are higher with conifer crops than
red alder, under certain conditions red alder should be considered as an
alternative forest crop [29]. Upland sites too wet for Douglas-fir and
hemlock (Tsuga spp.) are well suited for red alder. Red alder may also
be planted onto areas infected with laminated root rot fungus, since
hardwoods are immune to this infection. In Oregon, before an area can
be reforested with red alder, regulations require that permission be
obtained from the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Due to red alder's ability to symbiotically fix atmospheric nitrogen, it
has been proposed for use as a rotation crop before growing conifers
[12,44]. Soil nitrogen accretion rates have shown increases ranging from
40 to 300 pounds per acre (45-355 kg/ha) per year under red alder stands
[25]. Conifer stands which follow red alder exhibit increased growth and
yields [2,67]. Studies have shown that Douglas-fir grown with red alder
had increased heights and diameters compared to Douglas-fir grown
without alder [43]. Research on aboveground biomass accretion rates in
red alder stands suggests that for crop rotations, red alder should be
harvested before age 20 [69]. This is because maximum annual
productivity occurs between 10 and 15 years, and stands older than 20
years show signs of deterioration. Red alder stands reach an
aboveground biomass plateau between ages 40 and 50.

Herbicides have been used both to promote the growth of alder and to
kill alder to promote the growth of conifers. To achieve desired
stocking and distribution in potentially harvestable red alder stands,
thinning and culling of selected red alder trees may be desirable.
Numerous chemical applications are available to control red alders which
are competing with Douglas-fir or other valuable conifers. Stands
may be aerially sprayed, or individual trees can be spot sprayed or
injected. The most common chemicals used for control of red alder are
2,4-D, Tordon 101, triclopyr ester, and triclopyr amine [9,29,49].
Proper guidelines for the use and application of chemicals should be
followed [9,29,49,62].
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cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Occurrence in North America

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AK CA HI ID OR WA BC
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Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Other uses and values

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Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest extracted a red dye from the
inner bark of red alder, which was used to dye fish nets, making the net
"invisible" to fish. Red alder contains salicin, which chemically is
closely related to acetylsalicylic acid (commonly known as aspirin).
This is probably why Native Americans used various preparations for
medicinal purposes. Native Americans also used the wood for various
utensils. Red alder coals are currently used in the Northwest to smoke
salmon [1].
license
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Palatability

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
The leaves and young twigs of red alder are generally considered to be a
fair browse for cattle and sheep [11]. Red alder may be slightly less
palatable to cattle than to sheep or goats. However, cattle make
greater use of red alder, as they tend to frequent moist sites where red
alder occurs [64]. The degree of use shown by livestock and wildlife
species for red alder is rated as follows [30,57]:

CA OR

Cattle fair-poor ----
Sheep fair-poor ----
Horses fair-poor ----
Mule deer fair-useless fair
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bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Phenology

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More info for the terms: fresh, fruit, tree

Red alder is a deciduous tree. Flowers begin to form in the spring
before the leaves expand. Flowering in Oregon and Washington generally
begins in late February and continues until early May [58]. Fruits
ripen in late summer and early fall; seeds are dispersed during fall and
winter [58] and can often be seen on fresh snow. The following dates
have been recorded for phenological events in Oregon and Washington
[16]:

Phenological Event 17 locations throughout Snohomish County
Oregon and Washington Washington

Leaf bud bursts March 21 - April 23 April 3
Completely leafed out April 9 - May 16 May 2
Flowering begins February 19 - May 4 March 29
Flowers all fallen March 18 - June 5 April 12
Fruit ripe August 5 - October 29 August 27
Leaves mostly fallen September 18 - November 24 November 13

In the Cascade Mountains of Oregon, red alder is one of the first
deciduous trees to lose its leaves. The majority of leaves fall during
October, with virtually all leaves lost by the first week in November
[10].
license
cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Plant Response to Fire

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More info for the terms: forest, root collar, seed

Red alder is an early seral species which quickly invades burned areas.
Off-site plants inhabiting fire resistant draws and streambeds provide
an abundance of seed, which reportedly can travel several hundred yards
via wind. Thus red alder quickly colonizes soils exposed after forest
fires. Red alder along with Douglas-fir are often the dominant postfire
vegetation on low to middle elevation sites throughout the Pacific
Northwest [41]. Red alder may dominate and suppress conifers following
a fire for 20 to 25 years, after which the conifers overtop the alder
[68].

Information regarding the sprouting response of red alder after
aboveground plant parts have been killed by fire is lacking. However,
responses after cutting show that red alder tends to sprout at the root
collar or along the lower stem no matter where the stem is cut [27]. For
detailed information regarding the sprouting response of red alder after
cutting, refer to the Regeneration Slot.
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Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Post-fire Regeneration

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More info for the term: root sucker

Tree with adventitious-bud root crown/soboliferous species root sucker
Initial-offsite colonizer (off-site, initial community)
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Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Regeneration Processes

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More info for the terms: duff, monoecious, natural, seed

Sexual reproduction: Red alder regenerates primarily by seed. Plants
are monoecious and are primarily wind pollinated. Flowering generally
occurs from late February to early May depending on latitude and climate
[36]. After fertilization female catkins develop into woody cones about
0.5 to 1 inch (1.2-2.5 cm) long, containing 50 to 100 small, flattened,
winged, nutlike seeds [16,67].

Seed dispersal and production: Seed dispersal begins soon after
ripening in late summer, but most seeds are shed during fall and winter
[14,66]. The seeds are very lightweight (about 666,000/pound
[1,465,000/kg]) and are normally carried up to several hundred yards in
the direction of the prevailing winds. Seed production begins at about
10 years [58] (but sometimes sooner), and continues throughout maturity,
with optimum production at about 25 years of age [36]. A prolific
seeder, red alder produces peak crops about every 4 years, with moderate
to light crops produced in between [36]. Total seed crop failure is
very rare; however, a total crop failure did occur following a severe
freeze in November 1955 [16,36].

Germination: Under natural conditions, germination occurs in the
spring. Germination is best on moist mineral soil in full sunlight
[14,36]. Seed also germinates well on rotten wood and duff [45], and to
a lesser extent on soil organic horizons and on rock-surfaced logging
roads, but the roots must quickly penetrate to a moist nutritious
substrate if seedlings are to survive [14]. Sunlight is required for
germination [36]. Seeds under thick vegetation or buried deeply in the
soil, will not germinate until the site is disturbed, exposing the seeds
to sunlight. Germination percentages range from 59 to 84 percent
[52,58]. Germination rates of stratified and nonstratified seeds are
about equal. Low germination percentages may be due to a high
proportion of empty seeds known to occur in red alder [52]. Seeds
remain viable in storage for about 3 years [25].

Seedling establishment: Generally, exposed mineral soil is needed for
seedling establishment. Seed production is normally so prolific that
dense stands quickly develop on exposed soils of logging roads,
clearcuts, and burned over areas [25]. These areas may have from
several hundred thousand to several million red alder seedlings per
hectare in the spring of the first year after the disturbance [69].
Regeneration and establishment in dense, thick, brush fields is
infrequent due to the lack of exposed sights, but any disturbance which
removes the brush and exposes the soil will favor red alder
establishment [67]. Plants often reach 6 to 18 inches (15-45 cm) in 1
year and may reach 18 feet (5.5 m) in 5 years [16]. This rapid juvenile
growth gives the shade-intolerant red alder a competitive edge over
conifers, as it quickly overtops them.

Vegetative reproduction: Red alder will sprout following an injury to a
stem, but in the absence of disturbance, sprouting is infrequent. Red
alder's sprouting ability following cutting is summarized as follows
[25,27]:

(1) Sprouting vigor is greatest on trees 1 to 3 years old. Vigor falls
off dramatically after 15 years. Trees 15 years or older
rarely have live sprouts 2 years after cutting.

(2) The average number of sprouts per cut stem increases significantly
as stump height is increased.

(3) Stumps with the cut surface facing south or west have the least
mortality and are most likely to sprout.

(4) Level cuts have higher mortality and fewer sprouts than angled
stumps.

(5) Stems cut in January have the lowest mortality; stems cut during the
growing season, especially July or August, have the highest
mortality.

(6) The number of sprouts per cut stem is not affected by the season of
cutting.

Propagation: Cuttings of red alder do not root easily [66].
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Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Regional Distribution in the Western United States

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This species can be found in the following regions of the western United States (according to the Bureau of Land Management classification of Physiographic Regions of the western United States):

1 Northern Pacific Border
2 Cascade Mountains
3 Southern Pacific Border
8 Northern Rocky Mountains
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Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Successional Status

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More info for the terms: forest, tree

Red alder is common on many disturbed areas. Many of the stands which
exist today were created because of the pioneering habit of red alder.
Red alder quickly invaded lands clearcut and burned during the 1920's to
1940's [3,39]. In 1920 there was an estimated 1/3 of a billion board
feet of red alder, but by the mid 1960's, red alder acreage increased
dramatically, containing an estimated 12 billion board feet [39]. By
1988, red alder covered an estimated 13 percent of commercial forest
lands along the Pacific Coast of Washington and Oregon [55].

Red alder is an early seral species. It quickly invades forest
openings, such as those created from fires, logging, wind throws, or
road cuts, and it also pioneers volcanic mud flows [19,46]. Red alder
and Douglas-fir are reported as the principal pioneer tree species of
lower and middle elevation forests from southwestern British Columbia to
northwestern California [41]. Thus they often dominate the first
postfire community in the Pacific Northwest. Disturbed areas are
naturally seeded by numerous wind-dispersed seeds, resulting in stands
that start out with several thousand alder trees per acre [3]. Due to
red alder's shade intolerance, stands are self-thinning; trees that do
not maintain their height in the canopy die, resulting in even-aged
stands [17,66]. Conifers such as Douglas-fir that become established at
the same time are quickly overtopped by this extremely fast growing
species. These early seral red alder communities suppress competing
conifers, but after about 25 years, conifers equal red alder height and
begin to overtop them. After about 40 years, Douglas-fir becomes
dominant. Few red alder trees remain in stands past 60 years [16,67].
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Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Synonyms

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Alnus oregona
Alnus incana var. rubra
Alnus rubra var. pinnatisecta
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Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Taxonomy

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The currently accepted scientific name of red alder is Alnus rubra Bong.
[31,34,40]. There are no recognized subspecies, varieties, or forms.
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Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Value for rehabilitation of disturbed sites

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More info for the terms: cover, litter, seed

Red alder is useful for erosion control on steep slopes where soil has
been disturbed because the heavy cover and litter layer which forms
within 3 to 5 years effectively protects the soil [67]. Plants may be
established by direct seeding or transplanting, but not by cuttings, as
they seldom root [16]. To obtain seed, proven seed collection and seed
extraction procedures should be followed [36,58]. Transplanted
container-grown seedlings have shown a first year survival rate of about
75 to 80 percent [36]. Carefully dug wild seedlings also transplant well
[29].

Recent research suggests that cuttings from 1- to 3-year-old plants can
be induced to root by dipping the cutting for 10 seconds in a 8,000 p/m
solution of indole-3 butyric acid and then dusting with 10 percent
benomyl [47]. However, cuttings took 6 weeks to root in a warm
greenhouse environment between 72 and 77 degrees F (22-25 deg C).
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Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Wood Products Value

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More info for the terms: density, fuel, hardwood

Red alder is considered the most important commercial hardwood of the
Pacific Northwest. The fine even texture and moderate density of red
alder wood make it easy to work with. It sands and polishes easily,
holds paints and coatings well, stains readily, and seldom splits
[3,38]. Due to these favorable characteristics, and the fact that it is
much less expensive than other hardwoods used in furniture
manufacturing, red alder wood is extensively for furniture making and
cabinetry [55]. It is also used in the manufacture of novelties, trim,
paneling, pallets, veneers, plywoods, and paper roll plugs [3,67].
Smaller manufactured items include brush handles, spools, trays, shoe
soles, and boxes. Red alder is an important source of pulp for paper
products. Research is being conducted to determine the feasibility of
producing 4x8 foot (1.2-2.4 m) sheets of waferboard from chips [29].

Trees less than 8 inches (20.3 cm) in diameter are generally chipped or
cut for fuel wood. Sawmill logs need to be greater than 7 or 8 inches
(17.8-20.3 cm) in diameter at the small end and over 30 feet (9.1 m)
long [29].

Red alder is also an important source of firewood.
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Uchytil, Ronald J. 1989. Alnus rubra. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/

Distribution ( Spanish; Castilian )

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Chile Central
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Associated Forest Cover

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Red alder grows in both pure and mixed stands. Pure stands are typically confined to stream bottoms and lower slopes. Red alder is, however, much more widely distributed as a component of mixed stands. It is a major component of the forest cover type Red Alder (Society of American Foresters Type 221) and occurs as a minor component in most of the other North Pacific cover types (11).

Common tree associates are Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), western redcedar (ThuJa plicata), grand fir (Abies grandis), Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum), and willow (Salix spp.). Occasional tree associates include cascara buckthorn (Rhamnus purshiana), Pacific dogwood (Cornus nuttallii), and Oregon ash (Fraxinus latifolia). Western paper birch (Betula papyrifera var. commutata) is an occasional associate in the northern portion of the range of alder, and redwood (Sequoia semperuirens) in the southern portion.

Common shrub associates include vine maple (Acer circinatum), red and blue elder (Sambucus callicarpa, S. cerulea), Indian plum (Osmaronia cerasiformis), salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), western thimbleberry (R. parviflorus), dlevilsclub (Oplopanax horridum), Oregongrape (Berberis nervosa), and salal (Gaultheria shallon).

Herbaceous associates include stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), skunkcabbage (Lysichitum americanum), blackberries (Rubus laciniatus, R. leucodermis), California dewberry (R. ursinus), swordfern (Polystichum munitum), lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina), Pacific water parsley (Oenanthe sarmentosa), youthon-age (Tolmiea menziesii), Oregon oxalis (Oxalis oregana), and western springbeauty (Montia sibirica).

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Climate

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Red alder grows in climates varying from humid to superhumid. Annual precipitation ranges from 400 to 5600 mm (16 to 220 in); most of the precipitation is rain in winter. Summers are generally cool and dry. Temperature extremes range from -30° C (-22° F) in Alaska and Idaho to 46° C (115° F) in California. Low winter temperatures and lack of precipitation during the growing season appear to be the main limits to the range of red alder. For good development of trees, either annual precipitation should exceed 630 mm (25 in) or tree roots should have access to ground water.

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Damaging Agents

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Red alder is fairly free from most insect and disease problems, especially when young (age 40 or 50) and uninjured (21,45). Phellinus igniarius, a white heart rot, is probably the major cause of cull in older trees. Three canker-causing stem diseases-Didymosphaeria oregonensis, Hymenochaete agglutinans, and Nectria galligena-cause some damage, especially in young stands, but their overall impact is slight. Red alder has a number of foliage and catkin diseases, but none are economically important. Many species of fungi have been identified on alder; but, except for those discussed above, they tend to be secondary invaders on dead or dying tissue. Wood stain and decay proceed rapidly in cut trees, and logs should be processed soon after harvest unless they are stored in fresh water (43). During intermediate cuts, care must be taken to avoid injuring residual trees; once trees are injured, decay organisms can invade rapidly.

Insect pests are not usually a major concern, but serious outbreaks of some defoliators can cause growth reductions. The forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria), western tent caterpillar (M. californicum), alder woolly sawfly (Eriocampa ovata), striped alder sawfly (Hemichroa crocea), the alder flea beetle (Altica ambiens), and a leaf beetle (Pyrrhalta punctipennis) have caused substantial damage; but reports of mortality are rare (5,13,45). A flatheaded wood borer (Agrilus burkei) can kill twigs and branches (5,13). The alder bark beetle (Alniphagus aspericollis) breeds primarily in slash and in young stressed trees; however, healthy trees can be attacked when bark beetle populations are high (5). Ambrosia beetles (Gnathotrichus retusus, 7~-ypodendron lineatum, Xyleborus saxeseni) attack logs and slash left on the ground, causing rapid degrade in quality. Insect holes can also serve as entry sites for fungi. Merchantable material should be removed rapidly, and large accumulations of slash should be avoided.

Animals cause only minor damage in alder stands. Young trees are occasionally browsed by black-tailed deer, especially during the late summer and fall (6), but alder is not a preferred species. 'Mountain beaver sometimes girdle small stems and branches; their use of alder foliage for food is minor and sporadic except in late September when use is fairly heavy (38). In years of high populations, meadow mice girdle young stems. Damage by meadow mice has been most commonly observed in grassy or very wet areas.

Climatic factors can damage red alder. Mortality and top damage have been documented in natural stands after ice storms or unseasonable frosts (10,45). Fire is rarely a damaging agent because of the scarcity of flammable debris in alder stands; in fact, the species sometimes has been planted as a firebreak to protect adjacent conifers (45). Alder bark is thin but sufficiently fire resistant to prevent damage during light surface fires (43). Windthrow is not common in alder because of the intermingling of roots and branches, the absence of leaves during winter storms when soils can be waterlogged, and the relatively deep-rooting habit of the species on well-drained soils. Uprooted trees are most commonly observed along cutting boundaries or where established root systems have been undercut by flooding or erosion.

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Flowering and Fruiting

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Red alder reaches sexual maturity at age 3 to 4 years for individual trees and age 6 to 8 for most dominant trees in a stand (5). It is generally monoecious, with separate male and female catkins developing on the previous year's twigs (22). Staminate catkins occur in pendulous clumps. In late winter they elongate, changing from green to reddish brown and from 2 to 3 cm (1 in) long to about 7 or 8 cm (3 in). Pistillate catkins also occur in clumps but are borne upright. They are 5 to 8 min (0.2 to 0.3 in) long and reddish green when receptive. Flowering occurs in late winter or early spring; peak shedding of pollen generally precedes peak receptivity by only a few days. Most alder seed is probably the result of outcrossing, but some selfpollination does occur (5).

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Genetics

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Population Differences Population differences in height growth, diameter growth, stem form, bark thickness, and resistance to frost or insect attack have been demonstrated in a provenance trial in coastal Oregon involving 10 sources from the range of red alder (5). High growth rates were positively correlated with good form but negatively correlated with resistance to spring frosts. Differences among provenances in bole volume or aboveground biomass were greater than differences in height or diameter alone (24). Specific gravity did not differ significantly among provenances, nor was it correlated with growth rate (17).

The fastest growing trees in the provenance trial were from northwestern Washington, but trees from British Columbia, southwestern Washington, and Oregon also grew well. The slowest growing trees were from Alaska and Idaho. Thus, it appears reproductive material of red alder can be moved to mild sites over fairly long distances along the Pacific coast.

Differences in form and in characteristics of branch, bark, and wood among eight stands in western Washington have also been assessed (5). Variability among trees in a stand was high; only bark thickness, a branch diameter index, branch angle, and a crown-width index differed significantly among stands.

A cut-leaf variety (Alnus rubra var. pinnatisecta) is found in a few isolated areas in British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. The cut-leaf characteristic is caused by a single recessive gene (42); thus, the cut-leaf variety can be used as a marker in genetic breeding studies (5).

Families varied in their height-growth response to water-table depth in a 24-family progeny trial in western Washington (23). Use of genotypes tolerant of waterlogging may enhance growth of red alder on wet sites.

Phenotypic variation between trees is high. Studies are underway to assess genotypic variation and the heritability of various traits. An individual tree approach for selection has been recommended for tree improvement programs. Because red alder has extensive populations of even-aged stands and because of its reproductive and growth characteristics, the species has the potential for rapid genetic gains (5).

Races No races of red alder have been described. Races may exist, however, especially in the disjunct populations or in the extremes of the range. One researcher has divided the species into three populations (northern, central, and southern) on the basis of vegetative and reproductive features from herbarium specimens (12).

Hybrids No natural hybrids have been documented, but possible hybrids with Alnus tenuifolia and A. rhombifolia have been described where the ranges of these species overlap in Idaho (36). Red alder has been successfully crossed with A. cordata, A. glutinosa, A. japonica, and A. sinuata (5).

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Growth and Yield

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Red alder has rapid juvenile growth; of its associates, only black cottonwood grows as much or more during the juvenile phase. On good sites, trees may be 9 in (30 ft) at age 5, 16 in (52 ft) at age 10, and 24 in (79 ft) at age 20. One tree was 9.8 in (32.1 ft) tall and 16.3 cm (6.4 in) in d.b.h. 5 years from seed (36). Mean annual production in 7to 12-year-old thickets has been estimated (oven-dry) at 15.4 t/ha (6.8 tons/acre) (5).

Growth slows after the juvenile stage, the decrease beginning much sooner on poor sites. Site index as determined at base age 20 years ranges from 10 to 25 in (33 to 82 ft) (16); at base age 50, it ranges from 18 to 37 in (60 to 120 ft) (44). Associated conifers have much slower juvenile growth, but they sustain height growth years longer than alder. On an average site, both Douglas-fir and red alder can attain the same height at about age 45 (36). Beyond that age, Douglas-fir surpasses red alder in height.

Red alder is a relatively short-lived species, maturing at about 60 to 70 years; maximum age is usually about 100 years (45). On favorable sites, trees can be 30 to 40 m (100 to 130 ft) tall and 55 to 75 cm (22 to 30 in) in diameter. A record-size tree measured 198 cm (78 in) in d.b.h., but trees over 90 cm (35 in) in diameter are rare. Maximum cubic volume is attained at age 50 to 70 (500 m'/ha or 7 ' 150 ft'/acre) (5,44). In pure stands on good sites, it has been estimated that red alder can achieve annual cubic volume growth rates of 21 m'/ha (300 ft'/acre) in pulpwood rotations of 10 to 12 years, and 14 m/ha (200 ft'/acre) in saw-log rotations of 30 to 32 years (5). Most of the existing alder volume is in mixed stands where growth and yield are variable.

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Reaction to Competition

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Red alder requires more light than any of its tree associates except black cottonwood and is classed as intolerant of shade. Young seedlings can withstand partial shade for a few years but will grow very little; if not released, the seedlings will die. The only trees that survive are those that maintain dominant or codominant crown positions. Self-thinning or mortality caused by competition is rapid, and mean densities in natural stands decrease from 124,000 seedlings per hectare (50,000/acre) at age 5 (7) to 1,665 seedlings per hectare (675/acre) at age 20 (44). Red alder also selfprunes extremely well. Shaded lower branches rapidly die and fall off; alder holes are typically clear and slightly tapered (fig. 3). Live crown ratios in crowded, pure stands are very low, and narrow, domelike crowns are characteristic.

Early control of spacing is necessary to keep live crown ratios high enough to maintain good growth beyond the juvenile phase. Saw-log yields can be maximized on short rotations by combining early spacing control with pulpwood thinnings (5). Thinnings in previously unthinned stands are most effective in stimulating growth of residual trees if done before height growth slows-about age 15 to 20 (5,28,39). Thinning in older stands can salvage mortality and help maintain the vigor of residual trees but does not usually accelerate diameter growth (25,40).

Epicormic branching has been reported after thinning, especially when thinning has been late or drastic (1,40). Epicormic sprouting is most commonly observed on the south side of stressed trees. Epicormic branches appearing after early thinning are usually ephemeral and not cause for concern.

Red alder can be grown in either pure or mixed stands. Creation or maintenance of mixed stands requires careful attention to the respective heightgrowth patterns and tolerances of the species. Alder must be kept in the upper canopy to survive in mixed stands.

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Rooting Habit

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Red alder forms extensive, fibrous root systems. Root growth of seedlings is rapid; 2-year-old nursery-grown seedlings have to be planted using a shovel because of their wide-spreading, large, woody roots.

Red alder roots are commonly ectomycorrhizal. Only a few species of fungi, however, are capable of forming ectomycorrhizal associations with alder. Fungal symbionts include an alder-specific fungus (Alpova diplophloeus) and fungi capable of mycorrhizal associations with other hosts (Paxillus inuolutus, Astraeus pteridis, and Scleroderma hypogaeum) (26).

Red alder also has root nodules that fix atmospheric nitrogen. The nodules are a symbiotic association between the tree and an actinomycete (Frankia spp.). Nodulation occurs soon after seed germination; root systems of seedlings a few months old commonly have dozens of visible nodules, ranging from the size of a pinhead up to 25 min (1 in) in diameter. Mature trees have nodules on both the large woody roots and the smaller new roots. Nodules found on large trees can be as large as 80 or 90 mm (3.1 or 3.5 in) in diameter.

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Seed Production and Dissemination

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Red alder is a prolific and consistent producer of seed. Moderate seed crops are produced almost annually and bumper crops occur every 3 to 5 years. Complete failure of a seed crop is rare, but after a severe freeze in November 1955, almost no seed was produced in 1956 (43).

The seeds are small, winged nuts borne in pairs on the bracts of woody, conelike strobili (33). The strobili are 11 to 32 mm (0.4 to 1.3 in) long, and 8 to 15 min (0.3 to 0.6 in) wide. Seed dispersal begins in late September in the middle of the species'range, somewhat earlier in Alaska, and several weeks later in California. Most of the seeds are shed during late fall and winter. For minimum loss of seeds, cone collection should begin in September in Alaska and continue until December in California.

Red alder seeds are very light, numbering 800 to 3,000/g (22,900 to 85,700/oz), and wind dissemination is effective. The seed can be carried long distances by wind, and abundant seed for natural regeneration is usually present throughout the range of red alder.

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Seedling Development

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Red alder germinates and grows well on moist mineral soil with full sunlight. Germination is epigeal. Seedlings can become established from seeds that fall on a highly organic surface, such as forest litter. Because the seeds are so small, however, their food reserves are minimal and the tender radicle must encounter a moist, nutritious substrate almost immediately after germination if the seed is to become an established plant. Seedlings can tolerate partial shade for several years, but after that full sun is required for normal development.

Red alder can be regenerated by any method that provides full sunlight and exposed mineral soil. The species is an aggressive pioneer on avalanche paths, road cuts, log landings, skid trails, or other areas where mineral soil has been freshly exposed to seed fall. Clearcutting and large-group selection are feasible regeneration systems. During harvesting or in a subsequent site preparation treatment, the site must be disturbed sufficiently to expose mineral soil. Fire can probably substitute for mechanical disturbance on most sites. To exclude red alder from the next rotation stand, some forest managers try to reduce the supply of alder seed by cutting possible alder seed trees in the vicinity before or at the time of final harvest, and also to avoid creating favorable seedbed conditions by disturbing the site as little as possible during logging and, if feasible, by not burning the logging slash.

Artificial regeneration can be accomplished with either bare-root or containerized seedlings. Dried, stored seed need not be stratified (2,29). Nursery production of seedlings is fairly trouble free if standard techniques are used; sowing should generally be done fairly late (in June), however, to prevent the development of seedlings too large to be easily handled by planting crews. If the soil is sterilized, it may be necessary to reinoculate it to speed formation of mycorrhizae and root nodules. Guidelines for producing containerized seedlings are available (2), covering seed treatment, inoculation methods, and growth media. Survival and growth of planted seedlings are usually excellent.

Height growth of red alder seedlings is exceptionally rapid. On favorable sites, seedlings can grow 1 m (3.3 ft) or more the first year and on all but the poorest sites, seedlings surpass breast height (1.37 m; 4.5 ft) the second year (16). Maximum annual height growth of more than 3 m (9.8 ft) a year can be achieved by 2- to 5-year-old seedlings (16).

Seasonal growth of red alder is under strong climatic control and consequently quite variable. The timing of radial growth is similar for red alder and its common associate Douglas-fir; in the Puget Sound area of Washington State, growth Begins about midApril and continues until mid-September (32). Height growth begins slightly later in the season than radial growth. Red alder has indeterminate height growth; thus, height growth continues through the growing season until soil moisture, temperature, or light conditions become unfavorable.

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Special Uses

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Red alder wood is diffuse-porous, moderately dense, and uniformly textured. It is used in the production of solid wood products, such as furniture, cabinets, case goods, pallets, and novelties (31); composite products, including plywood and flakeboard (5); and fiberbased products, such as tissues and writing paper.

Alder is a common fuelwood and is burned both in home fireplaces and stoves, and in mills that use residues to produce heat for drying and other processes (31). Because of its rapid juvenile growth and ability to coppice, red alder has been evaluated for use in biomass farms for energy conversion (5); some experimental plantings have been made to evaluate yields under intensive management.

The ability of red alder to fix atmospheric nitrogen can result in increases in both nitrogen content and its availability in the soil. Nitrogen fixed irr the nodules is added to the soil in four ways: direct excretion from living roots or nodules, decomposition of dead roots or nodules, leaching from foliage, and decomposition of litter rich in nitrogen. Fixation rates vary diurnally and seasonally (37) and with site and stand age (3,36). Maximum annual fixation rates of 320 kg/ha (290 lb/acre) (36, based on accretion) in pure stands and 130 kg/ha (120 lb/acre)(3, based on acetylene reduction assays) in mixed stands have been reported.

Red alder also increases the organic matter content in the soil (34,36). Concomitant with increases in soil organic matter, decreases in soil bulk density and pH have been reported (4,34,36).

Red alder has been proposed for use alone and in both crop rotation and mixture with other species (8). Because of its ability to add nitrogen and organic matter to a site and its rapid juvenile growth on a variety of sites, the species has been experimentally planted as follows: (a) to serve as a nitrogen source for other species (particularly Douglas-fir and black cottonwood) (5,9); (b) on coal mine spoils, landslides, and other eroded or low fertility areas (20,35); (c) for streambank or roadside protection; (d) in areas of poor drainage; (e) as a firebreak or windbreak (5,34); and M for wildlife areas.

An additional experimental use of red alder in a crop rotation system is to plant it in areas containing coniferous root pathogens, such as Phellinus weiri, which can survive for many years in organic materials in the soil (14). The only known control is to replace the disease-susceptible species with a nonsusceptible species for 40 to 50 years. Red alder is a good candidate for such an interim species.

Other experimental uses of alder include addition of foliage, twigs, and sawdust to grain or alfalfa for cattle feed and addition of sawdust to nursery soils to increase organic matter.

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Vegetative Reproduction

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Red alder sprouts vigorously from the stump when young. It can be repeatedly coppiced on short cycles but rootstock mortality increases with each harvest (17). Age, time of year, and cutting height influence the likelihood of obtaining stump sprouts and the vigor of the sprouts (15). Stumps will sprout best when trees are cut in the winter and when stump height exceeds 4 in (10 cm). Older trees rarely sprout and coppice regeneration cannot be expected after polesize or saw-log-size material is harvested (15).

Greenwood cuttings from young trees can be readily rooted. More than 50 percent of cuttings from 1to 3-year-old plants took root within 6 weeks after treatment with 4,000 to 8,000 p/m indole-3-butyric acid and 10 percent benomyl (27). The cuttings were set in a well-aerated planting mix and placed in a warm environment (22° to 25° C; 72° to 77° F) in the daytime and 16° to 22° C (61° to 72° F) at night with high relative humidity and a 16-hour photoperiod.

Cuttings of succulent new spring growth from shoots of 3- to 6-year-old trees and epicormic sprouts from 27- to 34-year-old trees have also been rooted successfully (30). Best results were obtained with a 10-second dip in 2,000 or 4,000 p/m indole-3-butyric acid. The extent of rooting and root vigor on the cuttings varied greatly among ortets and treatments.

Red alder can also be propagated by mound layering (41). For this technique the seedlings are first coppiced. When the sprouts are a few months old, the stump and the base of the sprouts are covered with soil. The sprouts soon form roots; they can be severed from the stump and planted at the end of the first growing season.

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Distribution

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Red alder is most often observed as a lowland species along the northern Pacific coast. Its range extends from southern California (lat. 34° N.) to southeastern Alaska (60° N.). Red alder is generally found within 200 km (125 mi) of the ocean and at elevations below 750 m (2,400 ft). It seldom grows east of the Cascade Range in Oregon and Washington or the Sierra Nevada in California, although several isolated populations exist in northern Idaho (36).

.
-The native range of red alder.


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Alnus rubra ( Asturian )

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Alnus rubra, el Omeru coloráu americanu[1] o, a cencielles, Omeru coloráu, ye una especie d'omeru perteneciente a la familia de les betulacees.

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Conos
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Hábitat
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Conos

Descripción

El omeru coloráu ye la especie más grande d'omeru en América del Norte y una de les más grandes del mundu, qu'algama altores de 20-35 m d'altor. L'omeru coloráu oficial más altu (1979) de 32 metros d'altor alcuéntrase en Clatsop County, Oregón (EE.XX.). El nome deriva d'el color coloráu brillante ferruñosu que se desenvuelve en moretones al rallar la corteza. La corteza ye motuda, de color gris ceniza nidia, de cutiu, cubierta de mofu. Les fueyes son ovaes de 7-15 cm de llargu, con cantos serraos y llanos a la fin, el marxe de la fueya endólcase escontra baxo, esta combadura estremar de tolos demás omeros. Les fueyes vuélvense marielles na seronda enantes de cayer. Les flores masculines son de color acoloratáu colgando en grupos de 10-15 cm de llongura a principios de la primavera, les flores femenines son erectas y desenvuélvense en frutos con forma de pequeños conos maderizos de 2-3 cm de llargu. Les granes desenvueltes ente les bráctees maderices de los "conos" esvalixar na seronda y l'iviernu.

Distribución xeográfica

Alnus rubra crez dende'l sureste d'Alaska escontra'l sur hasta la mariña central de California, cuasi siempres hasta unos 200 km de la mariña del Pacíficu, sacante una estensión de 600 km escontra l'interior al traviés del norte de Washington nel norte d'Idaho.

Ecoloxía

Nel sur d'Alaska, l'oeste de Columbia Británica y la mariña noroeste de los EE.XX., l'omeru crez en fasteres fresques y húmedes; nel interior y nel estremu meridional de la so área de distribución (California) crez principalmente a lo llargo de los regueros y nos banzaos. Acomuñar col pinu de Oregón Pseudotsuga menziesii subsp. menziesii, nel oeste cola cicuta Tsuga heterophylla, el gran abetu, Abies grandis, nel oeste cola Thuja plicata, y l'abetu Sitka Picea sitchensis. A lo llargo de la so distribución ta comúnmente acomuñáu colos sauces Salix spp. , Cornus stolonifera, Fraxinus latifolia y el pládanu Acer macrophyllum.

Al sureste de la so área de distribución, sustituyir pol omeru blancu (Alnus rhombifolia), que ta estrechamente rellacionáu, pero que s'estrema nos márxenes de la fueya. Nos altos montes sustituyir pol omeru más pequeñu (Alnus viridis subsp. sinuata) y al este pol omeru (Alnus incana subsp. tenuifolia).

Nes zones forestales húmedes el Alnus rubra cubre rápido les zones quemaes o clares del monte, torgando temporalmente la crecedera de les coníferes, ameyorando la fertilidá del suelu pa la crecedera de les futures coníferes. Ye un prolíficu productor de granes, pero les granes riquen un espaciu abiertu nel suelu pa granar, polo que los senderos y otres zones alteriaes por baltar o'l fueu son ideales pebidales. Tales árees pueden acoyer dende dellos cientos de miles hasta dellos millones de plántulas por hectárea nel primer añu tres la perturbación del paisaxe (Zavitkovski & Stevens 1972).

Alnus rubra ye tamién bien pervalible pola fixación de nitróxenu. Esta capacidá déxa-y crecer en suelos probes de nitratu.

Usos

Un tinte acoloratáu puede faese de la decocción de la corteza y foi utilizáu polos nativos americanos pa la coloración de les redes de pesca con cuenta de que fueren menos visibles so l'agua. Los nativos americanos utilizaben la corteza del (Alnus rubra) pa tratar venenos, picadures d'inseutos, según irritaciones de la piel. Los indios pies negros utilicen un fervinchu fechu de la corteza d'omeru coloráu pal tratamientu de trestornos linfáticos y la tuberculosis. Recién estudios clínicos comprobaron que l'omeru coloráu contién betulina y lupeol, compuestos que demostraron la so eficacia contra una variedá de tumores.[2]

Alnus rubra ye un importante protector forestal. La so rápida crecedera fai que seya útil na cobertoria de la tierra alteriada. Les fueyes, son de bona descomposición pa formar un humus arriquecíu en nitróxenu. Ta consideráu pa una rotación de cultivos pa desanimar el xerme patóxenu del raigañu de les coníferes Phellinus weiril (podrén laminada de los raigaños).[3]

Taxonomía

Alnus rubra describióse por August Gustav Heinrich von Bongard y espublizóse en Mémoires de l'Académie Imperiale des Sciences de St.-Pétersbourg. Sixième Série. Sciences Mathématiques, Physiques et Naturelles 2(2): 162. 1832.[4]

Etimoloxía

Alnus: nome xenéricu del llatín clásicu pa esti xéneru.[5]

rubra: epítetu llatín que significa "de color coloráu"[6]

Sinonimia

Ver tamién

Referencies

  1. Nome vulgar preferíu en castellán, en Árboles: guía de campu; Johnson, Owen y More, David; traductor: Pijoan Rotger, Manuel, ed. Omega, 2006. ISBN 13: 978-84-282-1400-1. Versión n'español de la Collins Tree Guide.
  2. Edible and Melecinal Plants of the West, Gregory L. Tilford, ISBN 0-87842-359-1
  3. Ewing, Susan. The Great Alaska Nature Factbook. Portland: Alaska Northwest Books, 1996.
  4. «Alnus rubra». Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. Consultáu'l 4 de payares de 2012.
  5. En Nomes Botánicos
  6. N'Epítetos Botánicos
  7. Sinónimos en Catalogue of life
  8. Alnus rubra en PlantList

Bibliografía

  1. Flora of North America Editorial Committee, y. 1997. Magnoliidae and Hamamelidae. 3: i–xxiii, 1–590. In Fl. N. Amer.. Oxford University Press, New York.
  2. Furlow, J. J. 1993. Betulaceae. 185 pp.
  3. Hickman, J. C. 1993. Jepson Man.: Higher Pl. Calif. i–xvii, 1–1400. University of California Press, Berkeley.
  4. Hitchcock, C. H., A. J. Cronquist, F. M. Ownbey & J. W. Thompson. 1984. Salicaceae to Saxifragaceae. Part II: 1–597. In Vasc. Pl. Pacif. N.W.. University of Washington Press, Seattle.
  5. Scoggan, H. J. 1978. Dicotyledoneae (Saururaceae to Violaceae). 3: 547–1115. In Fl. Canada. National Museums of Canada, Ottawa.
  6. Welsh, S. L. 1974. Anderson's Fl. Alaska Adj. Parts Canada i–xvi, 1–724. Brigham Young University Press, Provo.

Enllaces esternos

Cymbidium Clarisse Austin 'Best Pink' Flowers 2000px.JPG Esta páxina forma parte del wikiproyeutu Botánica, un esfuerciu collaborativu col fin d'ameyorar y organizar tolos conteníos rellacionaos con esti tema. Visita la páxina d'alderique del proyeutu pa collaborar y facer entrugues o suxerencies.
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Alnus rubra: Brief Summary ( Asturian )

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Alnus rubra

Alnus rubra, el Omeru coloráu americanu o, a cencielles, Omeru coloráu, ye una especie d'omeru perteneciente a la familia de les betulacees.

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Qırmızı qızılağac ( Azerbaijani )

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Qırmızı qızılağac (lat. Alnus rubra) - tozağacıkimilər fəsiləsinin qızılağac cinsinə aid bitki növü.

Mənbə

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Qırmızı qızılağac: Brief Summary ( Azerbaijani )

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Qırmızı qızılağac (lat. Alnus rubra) - tozağacıkimilər fəsiləsinin qızılağac cinsinə aid bitki növü.

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Gwernen goch ( Welsh )

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Math o Gwernen, sef coeden gollddail bychan yw Gwernen goch sy'n enw benywaidd. Mae'n perthyn i'r teulu Betulaceae. Yr enw gwyddonol (Lladin) yw Alnus rubra a'r enw Saesneg yw Red alder.[1]

Betulaceae

Gweler hefyd

Cyfeiriadau

  1. Gerddi Kew; adalwyd 21 Ionawr 2015
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Gwernen goch: Brief Summary ( Welsh )

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Math o Gwernen, sef coeden gollddail bychan yw Gwernen goch sy'n enw benywaidd. Mae'n perthyn i'r teulu Betulaceae. Yr enw gwyddonol (Lladin) yw Alnus rubra a'r enw Saesneg yw Red alder.

Betulaceae

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Rot-Erle ( German )

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Dieser Artikel behandelt die nordamerikanische Rot-Erle; zur auch als Rot-Erle bezeichneten europäischen Art Alnus glutinosa siehe Schwarz-Erle.

Die im westlichen Nordamerika heimische Rot-Erle oder Oregon-Erle (Alnus rubra) ist die weltweit größte Pflanzenart in der Gattung der Erlen (Alnus) aus der Familie der Birkengewächse (Betulaceae). Sie wächst in einem etwa 200 km breiten Streifen längs der Pazifikküste, der vom südöstlichen Alaska bis nach Kalifornien reicht. Auf der Höhe des US-Bundesstaates Washington ist sie auch noch 600 km landeinwärts in Idaho anzutreffen.

Beschreibung

Die Rot-Erle ist ein sommergrüner Laubbaum, der Wuchshöhen von 20 bis 35 m erreicht. Der mit 32 m gegenwärtig höchste Baum steht im Clatsop County, Oregon (USA). Ihr Name leitet sich ab aus der rostig-hellroten Farbe ihres Holzes, wenn sie frisch gefällt wurde. Die Rinde ist grau, glatt und mit kleinen runden Korkwarzen übersät.

Die wechselständigen Laubblätter sind eiförmig, 7 bis 15 cm lang, haben grobe gesägte Kanten und sind deutlich zugespitzt. Sie sind nach unten durchgebogen. In diesem Merkmal unterscheiden sie sich von den Blättern aller anderen Erlen-Arten. Die Blätter der Rot-Erle verfärben sich im Herbst gelb, bevor sie abfallen.

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Männliche Kätzchen und winzige weibliche Kätzchen oben

Die Rot-Erle blüht im Februar und März, weit vor dem Laubaustrieb. Sie ist einhäusig getrenntgeschlechtig (monözisch). Die männlichen Blütenstände sind 10 bis 15 cm lange, nach unten hängende, rötliche Kätzchen. Die weiblichen Kätzchen sind aufgerichtet und entwickeln sich zu 2 bis 3 cm langen, verholzten Zapfen. Die Bestäubung erfolgt über den Wind. Die Samen werden im Herbst und Winter ebenfalls durch den Wind freigesetzt.

Die Chromosomenzahl beträgt 2n = 28.

Verbreitung

Die Rot-Erle wächst im südlichen Alaska, dem westlichen British Columbia und den nordwestlichen Küstengebirgen der USA auf kühlen und feuchten Hängen. Hier ist sie zusammen mit der Douglasie (Pseudotsuga menziesii subsp. menziesii), der Westamerikanischen Hemlocktanne (Tsuga heterophylla), der Küsten-Tanne (Abies grandis), dem Riesen-Lebensbaum (Thuja plicata) und der Sitka-Fichte (Picea sitchensis) bestandsbildend.

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Wald, bestehend aus Rot-Erle, Westamerikanischer Hemlocktanne und Oregon-Ahorn

Im Binnenland und an der südlichen Grenze ihres Verbreitungsgebietes, in Kalifornien, wächst sie vor allem an Flüssen und in Bruchwäldern. Hier ist sie häufig zusammen mit Weiden, dem Seidigen Hartriegel (Cornus stolonifera), der Oregon-Esche (Fraxinus latifolia) und dem Oregon-Ahorn (Acer macrophyllum) anzutreffen.

Südöstlich ihres Verbreitungsgebietes wächst die Weiß-Erle (Alnus rhombifolia). Sie ist mit der Rot-Erle eng verwandt, besitzt aber keine durchgebogenen Blätter. Im Hochgebirge wächst statt der Rot-Erle die kleinere Grün-Erle (Alnus viridis subsp. sinuata), im Osten der Kaskadenkette wächst die Grau-Erle (Alnus incana subsp. tenuifolia).

Die Rot-Erle ist ein typischer Pionier-Baum. Sie besiedelt schnell durch Feuer oder Kahlschlag entstandene offene Flächen und bereitet durch ihre Bodenverbesserung das Wachstum der oben genannten Nadelbäume vor.

Die Rot-Erle produziert extrem viele Samen, die allerdings nur im offenen Mineralboden keimen können. Auf Kahlschlagsflächen können im ersten Jahr mehrere Hunderttausend oder sogar mehrere Millionen Setzlinge pro Hektar vorkommen (Zavitkovski & Stevens 1972).

Die Rot-Erle ist mit Hilfe des Bakteriums Frankia alni in der Lage, Stickstoff aus der Luft zu binden. Dies ermöglicht es ihr, auf stickstoffarmen Böden zu wachsen.

Anbau und Verwendung

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Rotes Holz einer frisch abgebrochenen Rot-Erle

Ein rotgelber Farbstoff kann durch das Abkochen der Rinde gewonnen werden. Er wurde von der indigenen Bevölkerung Nord- und Südamerikas genutzt, um Fischernetze zu färben, so dass sie im Wasser weniger sichtbar waren.

Die Rot-Erle ist ein wichtiger Baum für die Forstwirtschaft. Ihr rasches Wachstum macht sie besonders geeignet, Brachflächen zu besiedeln. Ihre zahlreichen Samen tragen dazu bei, den Humus mit Stickstoff anzureichern, wenn sie zersetzt werden. Sie wird abwechselnd mit Nadelbäumen angebaut, um die Verbreitung des Pilzes Phellinus weirii zu unterbinden, der insbesondere die Douglas-Tannen befällt und schwer schädigt.

Die Holzindustrie betrachtete früher die Rot-Erle als „Unkraut“ und versprühte Herbizide über große Rot-Erlen Wälder in Oregon und Washington. Der zunehmende Wert des Holzes, verbunden mit einem besseren Verständnis der positiven Wirkungen, die die Rot-Erle für andere Bäume hat, bewirkte weitgehend die Einstellung dieser Praxis.

Das Holz ist für die Verwendung im Freien nicht haltbar. Es wird aber für Möbel und für sonstige Tischlerarbeiten genutzt. Früher wurde sein Wert als sehr gering angesehen, inzwischen wurde es aber im Westen der USA zu einem recht wichtigen Laubholz. Es ist weiß, rosa oder hellbraun, kann einfach bearbeitet werden, lässt sich gut kleben und ist dauerhaft.

Rot-Erlen werden im Allgemeinen nicht als Zierbäume gepflanzt.

Literatur

  • J. Zavitkovski, R. D. Stevens: Primary productivity of red alder ecosystems. In: Ecology. Band 53, Nr. 2, 1972, S. 235-242.
  • Flora of North America: Alnus rubra.

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 src= Dieser Artikel behandelt die nordamerikanische Rot-Erle; zur auch als Rot-Erle bezeichneten europäischen Art Alnus glutinosa siehe Schwarz-Erle.

Die im westlichen Nordamerika heimische Rot-Erle oder Oregon-Erle (Alnus rubra) ist die weltweit größte Pflanzenart in der Gattung der Erlen (Alnus) aus der Familie der Birkengewächse (Betulaceae). Sie wächst in einem etwa 200 km breiten Streifen längs der Pazifikküste, der vom südöstlichen Alaska bis nach Kalifornien reicht. Auf der Höhe des US-Bundesstaates Washington ist sie auch noch 600 km landeinwärts in Idaho anzutreffen.

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Alnus rubra

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Alnus rubra, the red alder,[3][4] is a deciduous broadleaf tree native to western North America (Alaska, Yukon, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho and Montana).[2][5][6]

Description

Alnus rubra is the largest species of alder in North America and one of the largest in the world, reaching heights of 20 to 30 metres (66 to 98 ft). The official tallest red alder (as of 1979) stands 32 m (105 ft) tall in Clatsop County, Oregon (US).[7] The trunks range from 25 to 50 centimetres (10 to 19+12 in) in diameter.[8] The bark is mottled, ashy-gray and smooth, often colonized by white lichen and moss.[8] The leaves are ovate, 7 to 15 centimetres (2+34 to 6 in) long, with bluntly serrated edges and a distinct point at the end; the leaf margin is revolute, the very edge being curled under, a diagnostic character which distinguishes it from all other alders. The leaves turn yellow in the autumn before falling. The male flowers are dangling reddish catkins 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) long in early spring. Female flowers occur in clusters of (3) 4–6 (8). Female catkins are erect during anthesis, but otherwise pendant. They develop into small, woody, superficially cone-like oval dry fruit 2 to 3 cm (34 to 1+14 in) long. The seeds develop between the woody bracts of the 'cones' and are shed in late autumn and winter. Red alder seeds have a membranous winged margin that allows long-distance dispersal.[7]

Specimens can live to about 60 years of age before being seriously afflicted by heart rot.[8]

Taxonomy

The name derives from the bright rusty red color that develops in bruised or scraped bark.[7]

Distribution

Alnus rubra grows from Southeast Alaska to central coastal California, nearly always within about 200 kilometres (120 mi) of the Pacific coast, except for an extension 600 km (370 mi) inland across Washington and Oregon into northernmost Montana.[5][9] It can be found from sea level to elevations of 900 m (3,000 ft).[8]

Ecology

In southern Alaska, western British Columbia and the northwestern Pacific Coast Ranges of the United States, red alder grows on cool and moist slopes; inland and at the southern end of its range (California) it grows mostly along the margins of watercourses and wetlands.[10] It is shade intolerant.[8]

In moist forest areas, Alnus rubra will rapidly cover a former burn or clearcut, often preventing the establishment of conifers. It is a prolific seed producer,[8] but the small, wind-dispersed seeds require an open area of mineral soil to germinate, and so skid trails and other areas disturbed by logging or fire are ideal seedbeds. Such areas may host several hundred thousand to several million seedlings per hectare in the first year after landscape disturbance.[11]

Twigs and buds of alder are only fair browse for wildlife, but deer and elk browse the twigs in fall and twigs and buds in the winter and spring. Beaver occasionally eat the bark, though it is not a preferred species. Several finches eat alder seeds, notably common redpoll and pine siskin, and as do deer mice. Tent caterpillars often feed on the leaves, but the trees usually recover within a year.[8]

The tree hosts the nitrogen-fixing actinomycete Frankia in nodules on roots. This association allows alder to grow in nitrogen-poor soils, and makes the species an important early colonizer of disturbed forests and riparian areas. This self-fertilizing trait allows red alder to grow rapidly, and makes it effective in covering disturbed and/or degraded land, such as mine spoils. Alder leaves, shed in the fall, decay readily to form a nitrogen-enriched humus.

Common associates

Red alder is associated with coast Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii subsp. menziesii), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), grand fir (Abies grandis), western redcedar (Thuja plicata), and Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) forests.

Along stream banks, it is commonly associated with willows (Salix spp.), red osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), Oregon ash (Fraxinus latifolia), and bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum).

To the southeast of its range it is replaced by white alder (Alnus rhombifolia), which is a tree of similar stature, but which differs in the leaf margins not being rolled under, lack of distinct lobes, and lack of membranous wings on seed margins. In the high mountains it is replaced by the smaller and more shrub-like Sitka alder (Alnus viridis subsp. sinuata), and east of the Cascade Mountains by thinleaf alder (Alnus incana subsp. tenuifolia).

Uses

Broken branch showing red weathered bark
Typical leaf discoloration caused by ozone pollution

As dye

A russet dye can be made from a decoction of the bark, apparently due to the tannin it contains,[8] and was used by Native Americans to dye fishing nets so as to make them less visible underwater.[8]

Medicine

Native Americans used red alder bark to treat poison oak reactions, insect bites, and skin irritations. Blackfeet Indians used an infusion made from the bark of red alder to treat lymphatic disorders and tuberculosis. Recent clinical studies have verified that red alder contains betulin and lupeol, compounds shown to be effective against a variety of tumors.[12]

Restoration

In addition to its use as a nitrogen fixer, red alder is occasionally used as a rotation crop to discourage the conifer root pathogen Phellinus weirii (causing laminated root rot).

Alnus rubra are occasionally planted as ornamental trees and will do well in Swales, riparian areas, or on stream banks, in light-textured soils that drain well. Red alder does not thrive in heavy, wet clay soils. If planted domestically, alders should be planted well away from drainpipes, sewage pipes, and water lines, as the roots may invade and clog the lines.

Woodworking

Alder lumber is not considered to be a durable option for outdoor applications, but due to its workability and ease of finishing it is increasingly used for furniture and cabinetry. Because it is softer than other popular hardwoods such as maple, walnut and ash, alder has historically been considered of low value for timber. However it is now becoming one of the more popular hardwood alternatives as it is economically priced compared to many other hardwoods. In the world of musical instrument construction, red alder is valued by some electric guitar / electric bass builders for its balanced tonality. Alder is frequently used by Native Americans for making masks, bowls, tool handles, and other small goods.

The appearance of alder lumber ranges from white through pinkish to light brown, has a relatively soft texture, minimal grain, and has medium luster. It is easily worked, glues well, and takes a good finish.

Fish smoking

Because of its oily smoke, A. rubra is the wood of choice for smoking salmon.[13]

As an environmental indicator

Red alder is often used by scientists as a biomonitoring organism to locate areas prone to ozone pollution, as the leaves react to the presence of high ozone levels by developing red to brown or purple discolorations.[14]

Forestry

Red alder, western hemlock, and bigleaf maple forest

With a current inventory of about 7.4 billion cubic feet, red alder comprises 60 percent of the total hardwood volume in the Pacific Northwest, and is by far the most valuable hardwood in term of diversity of products, commercial value, and manufacturing employment.[15] Increasing value of alder logs, combined with a better understanding of the species' ecological role, has led some land managers to tolerate and, in some cases, manage for alder. Since most forest land in the Northwest is managed for conifer production, however, over 80,000 hectares of timberland are sprayed with herbicides annually in Oregon alone to control red alder and other competing hardwood species.[16] Red alder's rapid early growth can interfere with establishment of conifer plantations[17] Herbicide spraying of red alder over large areas of coastal Oregon and Washington has resulted in a number of lawsuits claiming this spraying has caused health problems, including birth defects and other human health effects.[18][19]

In addition to adding soil nitrogen, rotations of red alder are used to reduce laminated root rot (introduced via Phellinus weirii) in Douglas-fir forests. Nurse stands of red alder may also reduce spruce weevil damage in Sitka spruce stands on the Olympic Peninsula[20] Alder continues to attract interest as log values approach and often exceed those of Douglas-fir.[21] This interest is limited by red alder's total stand productivity, which is significantly lower than that of Douglas-fir and western hemlock.

Gallery

References

  1. ^ Stritch, L. (2014). "Alnus rubra". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 208. e.T194598A2351803. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T194598A2351803.en.
  2. ^ a b Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  3. ^ USDA Plants Profile: Alnus rubra
  4. ^ BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  5. ^ a b Biota of North America Program, 2013 county distribution map
  6. ^ "Alnus rubra". Plants of British Columbia. Vancouver, BC: University of British Columbia.
  7. ^ a b c Furlow, J. (1979). The systematics of the American species of Alnus. Rhodora, v81-825: 1-248.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i Arno, Stephen F.; Hammerly, Ramona P. (2020) [1977]. Northwest Trees: Identifying & Understanding the Region's Native Trees (field guide ed.). Seattle: Mountaineers Books. pp. 208–215. ISBN 978-1-68051-329-5. OCLC 1141235469.
  9. ^ "Alnus rubra". efloras.org. Flora of North America.
  10. ^ "Alnus rubra". Jepson Flora. Berkeley, CA: University of California.
  11. ^ Zavitkovski, J.; Stevens, R.D. (1972). "Primary productivity of red alder ecosystems". Ecology. 53 (2): 235–242. doi:10.2307/1934076. JSTOR 1934076.
  12. ^ Tilford, Gregory L. (15 June 1997). Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West (1st ed.). Mountain Press. ISBN 0-87842-359-1.
  13. ^ Ewing, Susan (1996). The Great Alaska Nature Factbook. Portland, OR: Alaska Northwest Books.
  14. ^ Jeannie Allen (2003-08-22). "Watching Our Ozone Weather". NASA Earth Observatory. Archived from the original on 2008-10-20. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
  15. ^ Hibbs, D.E.; DeBell, D.S.; Tarrant, R.F. (1995). The Biology and Management of Red Alder. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press.
  16. ^ Oregon Dept of Forestry 2014
  17. ^ Haeussler, S.T.J. (1995). "Germination, survival and early growth of red alder seedlings in the central Coast Range of Oregon". Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 25 (10): 1639–1651. doi:10.1139/x95-178.
  18. ^ "In Oregon, Residents Struggle to Solve a Pesticide Mystery". 14 August 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  19. ^ "Basal Spraying of Red Alder" (PDF). Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  20. ^ Almond, Lyle. "The value of red alder as an integrated pest management tool for controlling weevil damage to sitka spruce" (PDF). In Deal, R.L.; Harrington, C.A. 2006 (eds.). Red Alder: A State of Knowledge. Pacific Northwest Research Station (Report). Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-669 – via Department of Forestry, Province of British Columbia, Canada.
  21. ^ Bluhm, Andrew A. (25 March 2017) [31 July 2010]. Red alder management: Silviculture to marketing (PDF) (Report). Tree School. Oregon City, OR. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-12-07. Retrieved 2017-12-07 – via Oregon State University Agricultural Extension Service.
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Alnus rubra: Brief Summary

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Alnus rubra, the red alder, is a deciduous broadleaf tree native to western North America (Alaska, Yukon, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho and Montana).

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Alnus rubra ( Spanish; Castilian )

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Alnus rubra, el aliso rojo americano[1]​ o, simplemente, aliso rojo, es una especie de aliso perteneciente a la familia de las betuláceas.

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Conos
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Hábitat
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Conos

Descripción

El aliso rojo es la especie más grande de aliso en América del Norte y una de las más grandes del mundo, que alcanza alturas de 20-35 m de altura. El aliso rojo oficial más alto (1979) de 32 metros de altura se encuentra en Clatsop County, Oregón (EE. UU.). El nombre deriva del color rojo brillante oxidado que se desarrolla en moretones al raspar la corteza. La corteza es moteada, de color gris ceniza suave, a menudo, cubierta de musgo. Las hojas son ovadas de 7-15 cm de largo, con bordes serrados y llanos al final, el margen de la hoja se enrolla hacia abajo, esta curvatura lo distingue de todos los demás alisos. Las hojas se vuelven amarillas en otoño antes de caer. Las flores masculinas son de color rojizo colgando en grupos de 10-15 cm de largo a principios de la primavera, las flores femeninas son erectas y se desarrollan en frutos con forma de pequeños conos leñosos de 2-3 cm de largo. Las semillas desarrolladas entre las brácteas leñosas de los "conos" se dispersan en el otoño y el invierno.

Distribución geográfica

Alnus rubra crece desde el sureste de Alaska hacia el sur hasta la costa central de California, casi siempre hasta unos 200 km de la costa del Pacífico, a excepción de una extensión de 600 km hacia el interior a través del norte de Washington en el norte de Idaho.

Ecología

En el sur de Alaska, el oeste de Columbia Británica y la costa noroeste de los EE. UU., el aliso crece en laderas frescas y húmedas; en el interior y en el extremo meridional de su área de distribución (California) crece principalmente a lo largo de los arroyos y en los pantanos. Se asocia con el pino de Oregón Pseudotsuga menziesii subsp. menziesii, en el oeste con la cicuta Tsuga heterophylla, el gran abeto, Abies grandis, en el oeste con la Thuja plicata, y el abeto Sitka Picea sitchensis. A lo largo de su distribución está comúnmente asociado con los sauces Salix spp. , Cornus stolonifera, Fraxinus latifolia y el arce Acer macrophyllum.

Al sureste de su área de distribución, se sustituye por el aliso blanco (Alnus rhombifolia), que está estrechamente relacionado, pero que se diferencia en los márgenes de la hoja. En las altas montañas se sustituye por el aliso más pequeño (Alnus viridis subsp. sinuata) y al este por el aliso (Alnus incana subsp. tenuifolia).

En las zonas forestales húmedas el Alnus rubra cubre rápidamente las zonas quemadas o claras del bosque, impidiendo temporalmente el crecimiento de las coníferas, mejorando la fertilidad del suelo para el crecimiento de las futuras coníferas. Es un prolífico productor de semillas, pero las semillas requieren un espacio abierto en el suelo para germinar, por lo que los senderos y otras zonas alteradas por la tala o el fuego son ideales semilleros. Tales áreas pueden acoger desde varios cientos de miles hasta varios millones de plántulas por hectárea en el primer año tras la perturbación del paisaje (Zavitkovski & Stevens 1972).

Alnus rubra es también muy valioso por la fijación de nitrógeno. Esta capacidad le permite crecer en suelos pobres de nitrato.

Usos

Un tinte rojizo puede hacerse de la decocción de la corteza y fue utilizado por los nativos americanos para la coloración de las redes de pesca a fin de que fueran menos visibles bajo el agua. Los nativos americanos utilizaban la corteza del (Alnus rubra) para tratar venenos, picaduras de insectos, así como irritaciones de la piel. Los indios pies negros utilizan una infusión hecha de la corteza de aliso rojo para el tratamiento de trastornos linfáticos y la tuberculosis. Recientes estudios clínicos han comprobado que el aliso rojo contiene betulinol y lupeol, compuestos que han demostrado su eficacia contra una variedad de tumores.[2]

Alnus rubra es un importante protector forestal. Su rápido crecimiento hace que sea útil en la cobertura de la tierra perturbada. Las hojas, son de fácil descomposición para formar un humus enriquecido en nitrógeno. Está considerado para una rotación de cultivos para desalentar el germen patógeno de la raíz de las coníferas Phellinus weiril (podredumbre laminada de las raíces).[3]

Taxonomía

Alnus rubra fue descrita por August Gustav Heinrich von Bongard y publicado en Mémoires de l'Académie Imperiale des Sciences de St.-Pétersbourg. Sixième Série. Sciences Mathématiques, Physiques et Naturelles 2(2): 162. 1832.[4]

Etimología

Alnus: nombre genérico del latín clásico para este género.[5]

rubra: epíteto latíno que significa "de color rojo"[6]

Sinonimia

Referencias

  1. Nombre vulgar preferido en castellano, en Árboles: guía de campo; Johnson, Owen y More, David; traductor: Pijoan Rotger, Manuel, ed. Omega, 2006. ISBN 978-84-282-1400-1. Versión en español de la Collins Tree Guide.
  2. Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West, Gregory L. Tilford, ISBN 0-87842-359-1
  3. Ewing, Susan. The Great Alaska Nature Factbook. Portland: Alaska Northwest Books, 1996.
  4. «Alnus rubra». Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. Consultado el 4 de noviembre de 2012.
  5. En Nombres Botánicos
  6. En Epítetos Botánicos
  7. Sinónimos en Catalogue of life
  8. Alnus rubra en PlantList

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Alnus rubra: Brief Summary ( Spanish; Castilian )

provided by wikipedia ES

Alnus rubra, el aliso rojo americano​ o, simplemente, aliso rojo, es una especie de aliso perteneciente a la familia de las betuláceas.

 src= Conos  src= Hábitat  src= Conos
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Punaleppä ( Finnish )

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Punaleppä (Alnus rubra) eli oregoninleppä[3] on Pohjois-Amerikan länsirannikolta kotoisin oleva keskikokoinen, kesävihanta puu, joka kuuluu leppien sukuun ja koivukasvien heimoon.[2] Se on suurin leppälaji Meksikon pohjoispuolisessa osassa Amerikkaa ja Pohjois-Amerikan luoteisrannikon kaupallisesti tärkein lehtipuu.[2][4] Sen erottaa muista leppälajeista reunoiltaan rullalle kääntyneistä lehdistä.[4]

Ulkonäkö ja koko

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Punalepän punaisia hedenorkkoja.

Punaleppä on nopeakasvuinen ja lyhytikäinen puu, joka alkaa tuottaa siementä 10 vuoden ikäisenä ja elää keskimäärin 60–70 vuotta, enintään kuitenkin sata vuotta.[2][5] Yleensä se kasvaa 24–30 metriä korkeaksi ja rinnankorkeusläpimitaltaan 35–45 senttimetriä paksuksi. Suurimmat luonnosta löydetyt yksilöt ovat olleet 37 metriä korkeita ja 80 senttimetrin paksuisia.[2]

Punalepällä on tavallisesti yksihaarainen runko, kapea tai kartiomainen latvus sekä laaja juuristo, joka levittäytyy lähelle maanpintaa. Sen runkoa ja oksia peittää ohut, sileä ja harmaanvalkoinen kaarna, joka alkaa tummua ja kesiä ohuina levyinä puun ikääntyessä.[2][4] Juuristossa on typpeä sitovia nystyröitä, joissa elää Frankia-sukuun kuuluvia aktinobakteereja. Punalepällä on usein myös sienijuuria, joiden kautta se elää symbioosissa sienten kanssa.[5]

Talvisilmut ovat perällisiä, pallomaisia, pyöreäkärkisiä ja yleensä hyvin tahmeita. Lehtilapa on puikea tai soikea, 6–16 senttimetriä pitkä, leveän suippotyvinen tai pyöreätyvinen, terävä- tai tylppäkärkinen sekä tyypillisesti reunoiltaan rullalle kiertynyt. Lehtilaita on voimakkaasti toissahainen tai nyhälaitainen, ja lehden alapinta on kalju tai hieman karvainen.[4]

Punaleppä on yksikotinen kasvi, joka kukkii alkukeväästä ennen lehtien puhkeamista. Sen kukat sijaitsevat erillisissä hede- ja eminorkoissa.[2][4] Hedenorkot ovat jopa 12 senttimetrin mittaisia, punaruskeita ja roikkuvat oksien kärjistä yksittäin tai pieninä ryppäinä. Eminorkot ovat pienempiä, punertavanvihreitä ja pystyjä mutta kääntyvät pölytyksen jälkeen alaspäin ja kypsyvät puutuneiksi, käpymäisiksi hedelmänorkoiksi, joissa on 50–100 litteää, siipipalteista pähkylää.[2][4][5] Tuuli levittää pähkylät puun ympäristöön syksyn ja talven aikana.[2]

Levinneisyys

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Punalepän harmaata kaarnaa peittävät usein sammalet.[2]
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Punalepän hedelmänorkkoja syksyllä.

Punaleppä on kotoisin Pohjois-Amerikan länsirannikolta, jossa sen levinneisyysalue ulottuu Etelä-Kaliforniasta Yukoniin ja Kaakkois-Alaskaan saakka.[2][4] Sitä ei juurikaan esiinny yli 160 kilometrin päässä merenrannasta lukuun ottamatta Pohjois-Idahon jokivarsia. Sitä viljellään myös Havaijilla.[2]

Elinympäristö

Punaleppä menestyy kosteassa meri-ilmastossa noin 700 metrin korkeudelle saakka.[2] Se viihtyy aurinkoisilla paikoilla mutta ei ole kovin vaativa maaperän suhteen.[2][5] Yleensä se kasvaa virtaavien vesien äärellä, kosteilla tulvatasangoilla, järvien rannoilla, märillä rinteillä sekä aukeilla, hiekkaisilla ranta-alueilla.[2][4]

Käyttö

Punaleppää pidetään Pohjois-Amerikan luoteisosien kaupallisesti tärkeimpänä lehtipuuna. Siitä tehdään paljon huonekaluja ja kaapistoja, sillä se on edullista ja sen tasaista ja melko tiheää puuainesta on helppo työstää. Siitä valmistetaan myös koriste-esineitä, koristelistoja, seinä- ja kattopaneeleita, kuormalavoja, puuviilua, vaneria, paperirullien tulppia ja joitakin pienempiä erikoistuotteita, kuten harjanvarsia, lankarullia, tarjottimia, kengänpohjia ja laatikoita. Lisäksi sitä käytetään selluloosan raaka-aineena ja polttopuuna.[2] Sitä pidetään myös hyvänä maanparannuskasvina, koska sen juuret muodostavat maaperään runsaasti typpeä.[5]

Monet koti- ja villieläinlajit käyttävät punaleppää ravintonaan. Lehmät, lampaat ja vuohet syövät nuorten puiden lehtiä ja oksia samoin kuin kauriit sekä hirvet. Majavat syövät sen kuorta ja rakentavat sen oksista patoja sekä pesiä. Siemenet kelpaavat tikleille ja peurahiirille.[2]

Pohjois-Amerikan intiaanit värjäsivät kalaverkkonsa punaiseksi punalepän kuoresta saatavalla väriaineella, jotta kalat eivät huomaisi verkkoja niin helposti.[2] He käyttivät punaleppää myös ulostus- ja oksetusaineena sekä yleislääkkeenä, jolla hoidettiin särkeviä luita, päänsärkyä, yskää, sappitautia, vatsavaivoja, risatautia, tuberkuloosia, astmaa ja ihottumia.[4] Punalepän lääkinnälliset ominaisuudet johtuvat sen sisältämästä salisiinista.[2]

Lähteet

  1. Stritch, L.: Alnus rubra IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2016.2. 2014. International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN, Iucnredlist.org. Viitattu 1.10.2016. (englanniksi)
  2. a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Ronald J. Uchytil: Alnus rubra Fire Effects Information System. USDA Forest Service. Viitattu 31.5.2011. (englanniksi)
  3. ONKI, Kassu: Alnus rubra yso.fi. Viitattu 24.7.2012.
  4. a b c d e f g h i Hong Song: Alnus rubra Flora of North America. Viitattu 31.5.2011. (englanniksi)
  5. a b c d e Constance A. Harrington: Red Alder Silvics of North America – Volume 2: Hardwoods. Northeastern Area State & Private Forestry. Viitattu 31.5.2011. (englanniksi)

Aiheesta muualla

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wikipedia FI

Punaleppä: Brief Summary ( Finnish )

provided by wikipedia FI

Punaleppä (Alnus rubra) eli oregoninleppä on Pohjois-Amerikan länsirannikolta kotoisin oleva keskikokoinen, kesävihanta puu, joka kuuluu leppien sukuun ja koivukasvien heimoon. Se on suurin leppälaji Meksikon pohjoispuolisessa osassa Amerikkaa ja Pohjois-Amerikan luoteisrannikon kaupallisesti tärkein lehtipuu. Sen erottaa muista leppälajeista reunoiltaan rullalle kääntyneistä lehdistä.

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Alnus rubra ( French )

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Alnus rubra, l'Aulne rouge, est une espèce d'arbre à feuilles caduques de la famille des Betulaceae. Elle est originaire de la côte ouest de l’Amérique du Nord. Son nom provient de la couleur rouge que peut prendre son écorce une fois entaillée.

Description

Caractéristiques morphologiques

Avec des hauteurs comprises entre 15 et 30 mètres[5], il s’agit de l’espèce d'aulnes la plus grande d'Amérique du Nord[2]. Bien qu'ayant une croissance rapide, surtout lorsqu'il est jeune (jusqu'à 1 m par an[5], sa hauteur dépasse rarement 25 m[6],[7]. Cet arbre peut vivre jusqu'à 100 ans[5] et son tronc peut atteindre à maturité un diamètre allant de 36 à 46 cm[5].

Ses racines portent des actinobactéries symbiotes du genre Frankia capables de fixer le diazote atmosphérique[8].

Son écorce externe est fine, écailleuse, de couleur gris cendré à gris-brun, se couvrant souvent en vieillissant de zones plus blanchâtres dues à des lichen. L'écorce interne est brun-rouge et rougit encore plus lorsqu'elle est exposée à l'air.

Les bourgeons sont portés par un pédoncule de 2 à 8 mm de long. Ils sont de forme ellipsoïde, à bout arrondi, mesurent de 6 à 10 mm et sont souvent couverts de résine[9].

Les feuilles caduques sont disposées de façon alterne. De forme ovale ou elliptique, leur marge sont dentées de façon peu profonde, arrondie et irrégulière, et a tendance à légèrement s'enrouler vers la face inférieure[7],[9]. Elles mesurent de 6 à 15 cm de long[5],[9] pour 3 à 11 cm de large[9] et sont de couleur verte. La face supérieure est glabre, mais la face inférieure porte parfois un fin duvet épars lui conférant une teinte rousse. En automne, la couleur des feuilles vire au jaune puis au brun.

L'aulne rouge est une espèce monoïque. Les inflorescences mâles et femelles sont des chatons qui apparaissent avant les feuilles au printemps. L'inflorescence mâle est composée de groupes de deux à 6 chatons pédonculés[9],[5], de couleur vert-jaune devenant souvent rougeâtre, et mesurent de 10 à 16 cm de long[5]. Le chaton femelle, disposé en groupe de 3 à 14[9] est plus petit. Il donne naissance à des pseudo-cônes ovoïdes lignifiés de 1.5 à 2,5 cm de long[5],[7] pour 1 à 1,5 cm de diamètre[5],[9]. Ces cônes produisent de 50 à 100 samares à ailes très réduites[5], aplatis, qui se dispersent au vent à partir du mois de mai jusqu'en hiver[5].

La formule chromosomique de l'aulne rouge est 2n=28[9].

Espèces proches

Une espèce proche, Alnus rhombifolia, se distingue de l'aulne rouge par la marge de ses feuilles ne s'enroulant pas vers la face inférieure et par son écorce interne ne rougissant pas à l'air. De plus, l'aulne rouge ne pousse que dans des zones subissant des influences climatiques maritimes, alors que Alnus rhombifolia peut pousser plus à l'intérieur des terres.

Habitat

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Carte de répartition de l'aulne rouge

La zone d’extension de l'espèce s’étend du sud-ouest de l’Alaska jusqu’au centre de la Californie[6]. En général, elle ne s’éloigne pas à plus de 200 km par rapport à la côte Pacifique, sauf au niveau de l’État de Washington, puisque l'espèce s'étend vers l'est à cette latitude jusqu’en Idaho[2].

Au nord, les aulnes rouges poussent un peu partout, dans toutes les régions humides. Au sud, ils se limitent aux zones bordant les cours d’eau et les marais. Ils colonisent préférentiellement les milieux ouverts et humides, même si le sol est nu et pauvre en matière organique[2]. Il peut en effet pousser sur des sols de diverses textures[2].

On trouve l'espèce souvent accompagnée du sapin de Douglas (Pseudotsuga menziesii), de la pruche de l'Ouest (Tsuga heterophylla), du sapin de Vancouver (Abies grandis), du Thuya géant de Californie (Thuja plicata), de l'épicéa de Sitka (Picea sitchensis) ou de divers arbres à feuillage caduc capables de pousser dans des marais ou des plaines inondables[2], tels que l'érable à grandes feuilles (Acer macrophyllum), le peuplier de l'Ouest (Populus trichocarpa), le saule du Pacifique (Salix lasiandra) ou le Cerisier amer (Prunus emarginata)[10]. Cet aulne est aussi souvent associé à certains arbustes et buissons comme Sambucus racemosa subsp. pubens, Sambucus cerulea, Rubus spectabilis, Rubus parviflorus, Oplopanax horridus, Oemleria cerasiformis, Acer circinatum ou Rhododendron menziesii[10]. Les herbacées associées sont Lysichiton americanus[7], Oxalis oregana, Polystichum munitum et Stachys mexicana[10].

Au sud, il est remplacé par un aulne blanc, Alnus rhombifolia et dans les régions montagneuses par un aulne vert, Alnus viridis ou par l’aulne des montagnes Alnus incana[réf. nécessaire].

Bien que poussant généralement à une altitude inférieure à 800 m[5], il peut pousser jusqu'à une altitude de 1 700 m[7].

Cette espèce résiste bien aux inondations et peut parvenir à pousser dans des zones où l'eau est un peu saumâtre[5]. Les jeunes arbres peuvent survivre à la destruction en produisant des rejets apparaissant sur la souche[5].

État des populations

Cette espèce est commune en Amérique du Nord sur une large zone géographique et sa population n'est ni fragmentée ni soumise à une menace particulière. Pour ces raisons, l'UICN l'a classé dans la catégorie "préoccupation mineure" (LC)[2].

Utilisations

Par les humains

Usage ancestral

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Forêt d’Aulnes rouges, pruches de l’ouest et d’érables à grandes feuilles.

Les Amérindiens utilisaient l’écorce de l’aulne rouge pour soigner des irritations causées par des insectes ou des plantes toxiques au toucher. Les pieds noirs utilisaient son écorce pour en faire une infusion pour guérir des désordres lymphatiques et pour la tuberculose. L’arbre contient de la bétuline et du lupéol qui auraient un effet positif contre les tumeurs[11],[2].

L'écorce interne était aussi séchée et moulue en une poudre pouvant être utilisée dans l'alimentation, comme épaississant pour les soupes ou en complément de céréales pour fabriquer du pain[5].

Cette écorce était aussi utilisée comme source de teintures rouge, brun-rouge, brune, jaune ou orange. Cette teinture était utilisée pour colorer des paniers, les filets de pêche, des peaux, des mocassins, des plumes, voire les cheveux[5].

La résine de cet aulne, mêlée de charbon de bois, pouvait être utilisée pour colmater et étancher les coutures des canoës[5]. Elle était aussi utilisée comme plastifiant pour pouvoir courber le bois des patins de traîneaux de type toboggan[5].

Les racines étaient utilisées seules ou mélangées avec des matériaux provenant d'autres espèces pour la vannerie, notamment par les tribus des Hupas, des Whilkuts, des Nongatls, des Lassiks, des Wailakis, des Yuroks, des Wiyots et des Pomos[5].

Usage du bois

Le bois de cet aulne a une texture homogène et une densité moyenne ; il est facile à travailler, à polir, à teindre, à peindre ou à vernir et se fend rarement[2]. Moins cher que la plupart des autres bois durs d'Amérique du Nord, il est souvent utilisé pour fabriquer de menus objets, gadgets, petits meubles, lambris, palettes, placages, contreplaqué et waferboard, ainsi que de la pâte à papier, ou encore peut servir de bois pour le chauffage, la création d'énergie ou le fumage du saumon du Pacifique[2].

Par la vie sauvage

Cet aulne est une source intéressante de nourriture pour la faune locale : les Cervidés consomment ses feuilles, rameaux et bourgeons ; les castors se nourrissent de son écorce[2]. Les graines sont une source de nourriture appréciable pour de nombreux oiseaux granivores, tels que des passereaux des genres Acanthis, Spinus, Carduelis ou encore des insectes ou de petits mammifères[2]. En effet, ces graines peuvent rester dans les pseudo-cônes jusqu'en automne et parfois même jusqu'au cœur de l'hiver. Elles sont donc disponibles à des périodes où la nourriture est plus rare[2].

Il est représente aussi un support pour les nids d'oiseaux et une source d'ombrage pour les animaux sauvages comme le cerf mulet[2]. Les castors utilisent le bois de cet aulne, branches et troncs, pour fabriquer leur barrages et leurs huttes[2].

Il est aussi utile pour limiter l'érosion des rives ou des pentes escarpées, mais aussi l'érosion des sols, qu'il améliore grâce à l'abondante litière riche en nitrates qu'il produit[2].

Il peut être attaqué par certains insectes nuisibles tels que des pucerons, ou encore des chenilles de papillon du genre Malacosoma (ou autres insectes foreurs)[2].

Synonymes

  • Alnus incana var. rubra (Bong.) Regel[1]
  • Alnus oregana Nutt.[1]
  • Alnus oregona var. pinnatisecta Starker[3]
  • Alnus oregona Nutt.[3] [4]
  • Alnus rubra pinnatisecta Starker[2]
  • Alnus rubra var. pinnatisecta Starker[1]

Notes et références

  1. a b c d e f et g The Plant List (2013). Version 1.1. Published on the Internet; http://www.theplantlist.org/, consulté le 9 juin 2017
  2. a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r et s UICN, consulté le 9 juin 2017
  3. a b c et d BioLib, consulté le 9 juin 2017
  4. a et b USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Plant Germplasm System. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN-Taxonomy). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland., consulté le 9 juin 2017
  5. a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r et s [PDF](en) Jammie Favorite, Diana L. Immel, « Red Alder Alnus rubra Bong. », sur Plants database, Département de l'Agriculture des États-Unis (USDA), 30 mai 2006 (consulté le 10 juin 2017).
  6. a et b (en) John O. Sawyer, Jr., « Alnus rubra red alder », sur JepsoneFlora, Jepson Flora Project, 2017 (consulté le 9 juin 2017).
  7. a b c d et e (en) Brian Klinkenberg, « Alnus rubra Bong. red alder Betulaceae (Birch family) », sur eflora.bc, E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British Columbia, 2017 (consulté le 10 juin 2017).
  8. (en) PG Kennedy, JL Schouboe, RH Rogers, MG Weber, NM Nadkarni., « Frankia and Alnus rubra canopy roots: an assessment of genetic diversity, propagule availability, and effects on soil nitrogen. », Microbial Ecology, no 59,‎ février 2010, p. 214-220 (ISSN , lire en ligne, consulté le 13 juin 2017).
  9. a b c d e f g et h EFloras, consulté le 13 juin 2017
  10. a b et c (en) James S. Fralish et Scott B. Franklin, Taxonomy and Ecology of Woody Plants in North American Forests : (Excluding Mexico and Subtropical Florida), John Wiley & Sons, 2002, 612 p. (ISBN 978-0-471-16158-5, lire en ligne), p. 535.
  11. (en) Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West, Gregory L. Tilford, (ISBN 0-87842-359-1)

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Alnus rubra: Brief Summary ( French )

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Alnus rubra, l'Aulne rouge, est une espèce d'arbre à feuilles caduques de la famille des Betulaceae. Elle est originaire de la côte ouest de l’Amérique du Nord. Son nom provient de la couleur rouge que peut prendre son écorce une fois entaillée.

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Ryðölur ( Icelandic )

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Ryðelri (fræðiheiti Alnus rubra) er stórvaxin og hraðvaxta elritegund sem myndar beinvaxin tré með keilulaga krónu. Tegundin er niturbindandi og vex í sambúð við geislasvepp af ættkvíslinni Frankia. Ryðelri er nýtt til viðarframleiðslu. Það er landnámstré sem getur vaxið þar sem jarðveg hefur verið raskað svo sem við námugröft. Lítil reynsla er af ryðelri á Íslandi.

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Ryðölur: Brief Summary ( Icelandic )

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Ryðelri (fræðiheiti Alnus rubra) er stórvaxin og hraðvaxta elritegund sem myndar beinvaxin tré með keilulaga krónu. Tegundin er niturbindandi og vex í sambúð við geislasvepp af ættkvíslinni Frankia. Ryðelri er nýtt til viðarframleiðslu. Það er landnámstré sem getur vaxið þar sem jarðveg hefur verið raskað svo sem við námugröft. Lítil reynsla er af ryðelri á Íslandi.

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Alnus rubra ( Italian )

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L'ontano rosso (Alnus rubra Bong.)[2][3] è un albero deciduo appartenente alla famiglia Betulaceae,[4] nativo del Nord America occidentale (Alaska, Yukon, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho e Montana).[5][6]

Etimologia

L'epiteto specifico rubra deriva dal colore rosso che la corteccia assume se contusa o raschiata.

Descrizione

Raggiungendo talvolta i 30 m,[7] Alnus rubra è la specie di ontano di maggiori dimensioni in Nord America e una delle specie di Alnus di maggiori dimensioni nel mondo;[1] l'esemplare più alto noto (nella Contea di Clatsop, in Oregon) misura 32 m[8]. In condizioni ordinarie, la sua corteccia è liscia, ha una colorazione a chiazze grigie ed è spesso colonizzata da licheni bianchi e muschio. Le foglie sono ovate, appuntite, e misurano da 7 a 15 cm;[9] il margine fogliare è seghettato e revoluto, caratteristica che permette di distinguere questa specie da tutti gli altri ontani. In autunno, le foglie diventano gialle prima di cadere.

La fioritura avviene all'inizio della primavera. I fiori maschili sono amenti rossastri pendenti, lunghi dai 10 ai 15 cm.[9] Gli amenti femminili si presentano in gruppi da 3 a 8 (di solito tra 4 e 6), e sono eretti durante l'antesi e pendenti per il resto del tempo. Il frutto è legnoso, secco e superficialmente simile a una pigna, lungo 2-3 cm. I semi si sviluppano tra le brattee legnose e vengono liberati tra la fine dell'autunno e l'inverno; il loro margine membranoso ne consente la dispersione per lunghe distanze.[10]

Biologia

Alnus rubra ospita l'actinomicete azotofissatore Frankia nei noduli delle radici; questo consente all'ontano di crescere nei terreni poveri di azoto.[7]

Nel suo habitat, A. rubra è una specie pioniera in quanto, grazie alla prolifica produzione di semi dispersi dal vento e alla sua predisposizione a germinare su suoli poveri di humus, ricopre rapidamente eventuali aree disboscate da incendi o taglio raso, impedendo spesso alle conifere di stabilirsi. Tali aree possono ospitare da diverse centinaia di migliaia a milioni di plantule per ettaro nel primo anno dopo il disboscamento.[11]

I castori occasionalmente ne mangiano la corteccia, mentre i cervidi si nutrono di foglie e gemme.[1] Numerosi fringuelli mangiano semi di ontano, in particolare le specie Acanthis flammea e Spinus pinus, così come alcuni roditori (Peromyscus sp.).

Distribuzione e habitat

Il suo areale si estende dal sud-est dell'Alaska al sud della California,[9] quasi sempre entro circa 200 km dalla costa del Pacifico, escludendo un'estensione di 600 km nell'entroterra attraverso Washington, Oregon e il nord del Montana.[6] Questo albero cresce su pendii freschi e umidi; nell'entroterra e all'estremità meridionale del suo areale cresce principalmente lungo i margini dei corsi d'acqua e delle zone umide.

È spesso associato con conifere come Pseudotsuga menziesii, Tsuga heterophylla, Abies grandis, Thuja plicata e Picea sitchensis;[1] lungo le rive dei fiumi cresce spesso insieme a salici, Cornus sericea, Fraxinus latifolia e Acer macrophyllum.

A sud-est del suo areale è sostituito dall'ontano bianco (Alnus rhombifolia), il quale si distingue per il margine non revoluto delle foglie,[7] mentre in alta montagna è sostituito da Alnus alnobetula subsp. sinuata, di dimensioni generalmente inferiori, e ad est della Catena delle Cascate da Alnus incana subsp. tenuifolia.

Usi

 src=
Ramo rotto, è esposta la corteccia rossa

Come colorante

Una tintura color ruggine può essere ottenuta da un decotto della corteccia. Veniva utilizzata dai nativi americani per tingere le reti da pesca in modo da renderle meno visibili sott'acqua.

Usi medicinali

I nativi americani usavano la corteccia di ontano rosso per lenire le irritazioni della pelle, incluse quelle dovute a punture di insetti e a Toxicodendron diversilobum (nota anche come poison oak, "quercia velenosa", questa anacardiacea causa una reazione allergica se viene a contatto con la pelle). Gli indiani Piedi Neri usavano un'infusione prodotta dalla corteccia di ontano rosso per curare i disturbi del sistema linfatico e la tubercolosi. Studi clinici hanno dimostrato che l'ontano rosso contiene betulina e lupeolo, composti che si dimostrano efficaci nella cura di diversi tumori.[12]

Nel rimboschimento

La capacità di rifornire il suolo di azoto e di colonizzare rapidamente aree disboscate rendono A. rubra una specie molto efficiente nel rimboschimento di terreni degradati così come di aree minerarie. Le foglie di ontano, cadute in autunno, si decompongono velocemente per formare un humus arricchito di azoto. L'ontano rosso viene inoltre utilizzato come coltura di rotazione per limitare la diffusione di funghi patogeni delle conifere come Phellinus weirii, agente di marciume radicale e carie bianca.

Questi ontani vengono occasionalmente piantati come alberi ornamentali, solitamente in zone ripariali e su terreno che drena bene; questa specie non prospera su terreni argillosi.

Nella lavorazione del legno

 src=
Foglia di ontano rosso, che mostra la tipica decolorazione causata dall'inquinamento da ozono.

Il legname di ontano non è considerato un'opzione durevole per applicazioni esterne, ma per la sua lavorabilità e facilità di finitura è sempre più utilizzato nel campo dell'ebanisteria. Poiché è più morbido di altre latifoglie come l'acero, il noce e il frassino, storicamente il legname di ontano non è stato considerato di grande valore, tuttavia sta diventando una delle alternative più diffuse grazie al minor prezzo.[1]

L'ontano rosso è apprezzato da alcuni costruttori di chitarre elettriche o bassi elettrici per la sua tonalità bilanciata. L'ontano viene inoltre utilizzato dai nativi americani per realizzare maschere, ciotole, maniglie per utensili e altri piccoli beni.

Il legname ha consistenza relativamente morbida, grana fine e lucentezza media; risulta inoltre facile da lavorare, incollare e rifinire.[1] La sua colorazione varia dal marrone chiaro al bianco-rosato.

Nell'affumicatura del pesce

A causa del suo fumo oleoso, A. rubra è il legno ideale per affumicare il salmone.[13]

Nel monitoraggio ambientale

L'ontano rosso viene spesso utilizzato come indicatore biologico per localizzare aree soggette all'inquinamento da ozono, poiché le foglie reagiscono alla presenza di alti livelli di ozono sviluppando decolorazioni marroni-rossastre o violacee.[14]

Silvicoltura

Nel nord-ovest Pacifico l'ontano rosso è di gran lunga il legno più prezioso in termini di diversità di prodotti, valore commerciale e occupazione manifatturiera, e con i suoi 210 milioni di metri cubi rappresenta il 60% del volume totale della produzione di legno duro.[15]

L'aumento del valore dei tronchi di ontano, combinato con una migliore comprensione del ruolo ecologico della specie, ha portato alcuni gestori del territorio a tollerare e, in alcuni casi, a gestire l'ontano. Visto che la maggior parte dei terreni forestali nel nord-ovest è gestita per incentivare la crescita delle conifere e che l'ontano rosso può impedire a queste di stabilirsi,[16] più di 80.000 ettari di bosco sono irrorati con erbicidi ogni anno nel solo Oregon per controllare questa specie e altri alberi che entrerebbero in competizione con le conifere. L'utilizzo di erbicidi in vaste aree costiere dell'Oregon e di Washington ha portato a una serie di cause legali: tale gestione del territorio avrebbe infatti causato diversi problemi di salute agli abitanti, e le sostanze utilizzate potrebbero inoltre essere causa di malattie congenite.[17][18]

Oltre per aggiungere azoto nel suolo, le coltivazioni di ontano rosso vengono utilizzate per limitare la diffusione di funghi patogeni nelle foreste di abeti di Douglas e per ridurre i danni del curculionide Pissodes sitchensis ai pecci di Sitka nella Penisola Olimpica.[19] L'ontano continua ad attirare l'interesse man mano che i prezzi dei tronchi si avvicinano e spesso superano quelli dell'abete di Douglas.[20] Questo interesse è limitato dalla produttività totale dell'insediamento di ontano rosso, che è significativamente inferiore a quella dell'abete di Douglas e della tsuga occidentale.

 src=
Foresta di ontano rosso, tsuga occidentale e Acer macrophyllum

Galleria d'immagini

Note

  1. ^ a b c d e f (EN) Stritch, L. 2014, Alnus rubra, su IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Versione 2020.2, IUCN, 2020.
  2. ^ USDA Plants Profile: Alnus rubra
  3. ^ BSBI List 2007 (XLS), su bsbi.org.uk, Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. URL consultato il 17 ottobre 2014 (archiviato dall'url originale il 23 ottobre 2014).
  4. ^ (EN) Alnus rubra Bong., su Plants of the World Online, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. URL consultato il 16 gennaio 2021.
  5. ^ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  6. ^ a b Biota of North America Program, 2013 county distribution map
  7. ^ a b c (EN) Alnus rubra, su landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu, Oregon State University. URL consultato l'8 febbraio 2021.
  8. ^ Red Alder, Alnus rubra, su calscape.org. URL consultato il 7 gennaio 2022.
  9. ^ a b c (EN) Alnus rubra, su Trees and Shrubs Online. URL consultato l'8 febbraio 2021.
  10. ^ Furlow, J. (1979). The systematics of the American species of Alnus. Rhodora, v81-825: 1-248.
  11. ^ (EN) J. Zavitkovski e R.D. Stevens, Primary productivity of red alder ecosystems, in Ecology, vol. 53, n. 2, 1972, pp. 235–242, DOI:10.2307/1934076, JSTOR 1934076.
  12. ^ Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West, Gregory L. Tilford, ISBN 0-87842-359-1
  13. ^ Ewing, Susan. The Great Alaska Nature Factbook. Portland: Alaska Northwest Books, 1996.
  14. ^ Jeannie Allen, Watching Our Ozone Weather, su earthobservatory.nasa.gov, NASA Earth Observatory, 22 agosto 2003. URL consultato l'11 ottobre 2008 (archiviato dall'url originale il 20 ottobre 2008).
  15. ^ Hibbs, D. E., DeBell, D. S., & Tarrant, R. F. (1995). The Biology and management of red alder. Corvallis, Oregon: Oregon State University Press.
  16. ^ Haeussler S, T. J. (1995). Germination, survival and early growth of red alder seedlings in the central Coast Range of Oregon. Can. J For. Res., 25: 1639-1651.
  17. ^ In Oregon, Residents Struggle to Solve a Pesticide Mystery, su theatlantic.com. URL consultato l'8 febbraio 2021.
  18. ^ Basal Spraying of Red Alder (PDF), su andrewsforest.oregonstate.edu. URL consultato l'8 febbraio 2021.
  19. ^ https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/FIA/2007/FSP_Y073159b.pdf
  20. ^ Archived copy (PDF), su extension.oregonstate.edu. URL consultato il 7 dicembre 2017 (archiviato dall'url originale il 7 dicembre 2017).

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Alnus rubra: Brief Summary ( Italian )

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L'ontano rosso (Alnus rubra Bong.) è un albero deciduo appartenente alla famiglia Betulaceae, nativo del Nord America occidentale (Alaska, Yukon, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho e Montana).

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Rødor ( Norwegian )

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Rødor (Alnus rubra) er et løvfellende tre i bjørkefamilien. Arten vokser langs den nordamerikanske stillehavskysten og er det vanligste løvtreet der.

Den blir høy til å være en oreart og kan bli opptil 28 m. Barken er glatt og grå. Bladene er 10–12 cm lange, 7 cm brede og har 10–15 rødlige nerver som ender i spisser på den nedre bladkanten. Den øvre bladkanten er hel. Hannraklene sitter 3–5 sammen og er opptil 15 cm lange. Hunnraklene sitter 3–6 sammen og er 1,2–2 cm.

Utbredelsen strekker seg fra sørlige California (34° nord) til sørøstlige Alaska (60° nord). Den vokser som regel mindre enn 200 km fra havet og lavere enn 750 moh, men det finnes noen populasjoner i sørlige Idaho. Den er en kortlevet pionerart som dukker opp etter hogst og skogbrann. Rødor vokser både i rene bestander og sammen med andre trær som douglasgran, vestamerikansk hemlokk, kjempetuja, kjempeedelgran, sitkagran, kjempepoppel, oregonlønn og pil. Av og til kan den også vokse sammen med Frangula purshiana, Cornus nuttallii og oregonask. I nord hender det at rødor vokser sammen med papirbjørk og i sør, redwood.

Kilder

Eksterne lenker

 src=
Hannrakler med hunnrakler og knopper i bakgrunnen
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Rødor: Brief Summary ( Norwegian )

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Rødor (Alnus rubra) er et løvfellende tre i bjørkefamilien. Arten vokser langs den nordamerikanske stillehavskysten og er det vanligste løvtreet der.

Den blir høy til å være en oreart og kan bli opptil 28 m. Barken er glatt og grå. Bladene er 10–12 cm lange, 7 cm brede og har 10–15 rødlige nerver som ender i spisser på den nedre bladkanten. Den øvre bladkanten er hel. Hannraklene sitter 3–5 sammen og er opptil 15 cm lange. Hunnraklene sitter 3–6 sammen og er 1,2–2 cm.

Utbredelsen strekker seg fra sørlige California (34° nord) til sørøstlige Alaska (60° nord). Den vokser som regel mindre enn 200 km fra havet og lavere enn 750 moh, men det finnes noen populasjoner i sørlige Idaho. Den er en kortlevet pionerart som dukker opp etter hogst og skogbrann. Rødor vokser både i rene bestander og sammen med andre trær som douglasgran, vestamerikansk hemlokk, kjempetuja, kjempeedelgran, sitkagran, kjempepoppel, oregonlønn og pil. Av og til kan den også vokse sammen med Frangula purshiana, Cornus nuttallii og oregonask. I nord hender det at rødor vokser sammen med papirbjørk og i sør, redwood.

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Olsza czerwona ( Polish )

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Olsza czerwona (Alnus rubra Bong.) – gatunek drzew należący do rodziny brzozowatych. Zasięg występowania biegnie przez Wybrzeże Północno-Zachodnie Ameryki Północnej, od Alaski przez kanadyjską Kolumbię Brytyjską do Kalifornii[2].

Morfologia

Pokrój
Średniej wielkości drzewo do 15 m wysokości o szerokiej, stożkowej koronie[4].
Kora
Zabarwienie białe lub szarawe, podobne do brzozy.
Liście
Eliptyczne lub jajowate do 10 cm długości i 8 cm szerokości. Wierzch gładki, skórzasty i ciemnozielony, spód jaśniejszy rdzawo owłosiony na nerwach.
Kwiaty
Kwiaty męskie w postaci zwisających kotek, w kolorze pomarańczowym do 15 cm długości. Kwiaty żeńskie krótsze, czerwone i sterczące[4].
Owoce
Szyszeczkowaty owocostan do 2,5 cm długości, zawierający liczne nasiona.

Biologia i ekologia

Rozwój
Roślina jednopienna, wiatropylna. Kwitnie wczesną wiosną przed pojawieniem się liści. Tworzy gęste zagajniki.
Siedlisko
Rośnie w pasmach nadbrzeżnych nad brzegami strumieni i rzek, w dolinach Gór Kaskadowych, na glebach wilgotnych i zasobnych do 300 m n.p.m[5].
Genetyka
Liczba chromosomów 2n= 28[6].

Zastosowanie

Przypisy

  1. Stevens P.F.: Angiosperm Phylogeny Website (ang.). 2001–. [dostęp 2013-05-21].
  2. a b Alnus rubra (ang.). W: Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) [on-line]. United States Department of Agriculture. [dostęp 2013-05-21].
  3. The Plant List. [dostęp 2013-05-21].
  4. a b Russel, Cutler, Walters: Ilustrowana encyklopedia Drzewa Świata. Kraków: Universitas, 2008, s. 155. ISBN 97883242-0842-5.
  5. JSTOR Global Plants: Entry for Alnus rubra Bongard (ang.). W: Entry for Alnus rubra Bongard [on-line]. [dostęp 2013-05-21].
  6. Encyclopedia of Life: Alnus rubra (ang.). W: Alnus rubra [on-line]. [dostęp 2013-05-21].
  7. a b Flora of North America (ang.). W: Alnus rubra [on-line]. [dostęp 2013-05-21].
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Olsza czerwona: Brief Summary ( Polish )

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Olsza czerwona (Alnus rubra Bong.) – gatunek drzew należący do rodziny brzozowatych. Zasięg występowania biegnie przez Wybrzeże Północno-Zachodnie Ameryki Północnej, od Alaski przez kanadyjską Kolumbię Brytyjską do Kalifornii.

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Alnus rubra ( Vietnamese )

provided by wikipedia VI

Alnus rubra là một loài thực vật có hoa trong họ Betulaceae. Loài này được Bong. mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1833.[2]

Hình ảnh

Chú thích

  1. ^ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. ^ The Plant List (2010). Alnus rubra. Truy cập ngày 14 tháng 9 năm 2013.

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Alnus rubra: Brief Summary ( Vietnamese )

provided by wikipedia VI

Alnus rubra là một loài thực vật có hoa trong họ Betulaceae. Loài này được Bong. mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1833.

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Ольха красная ( Russian )

provided by wikipedia русскую Википедию
Царство: Растения
Подцарство: Зелёные растения
Отдел: Цветковые
Надпорядок: Rosanae
Порядок: Букоцветные
Семейство: Берёзовые
Подсемейство: Берёзовые
Род: Ольха
Вид: Ольха красная
Международное научное название

Alnus rubra Bong.

Синонимы
Alnus oregona Nutt.[2]
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Систематика
на Викивидах
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Изображения
на Викискладе
ITIS 19474NCBI 109069EOL 1145612GRIN t:105118IPNI 294986-1TPL kew-6584

Ольха́ кра́сная (лат. Alnus rubra) — вид цветковых растений рода Ольха (Alnus) семейства Берёзовые (Betulaceae).

Введена в культуру с 1884 года. Красивое декоративное растение с крупными листьями.

В природе ареал вида охватывает Северную Америку[2].

Ботаническое описание

Дерево высотой до 20 м. Кора светло-серая, почти гладкая. Побеги сначала опушённые, затем голые, тёмно-красные.

Почки на ножках, красные. Листья яйцевидные до продолговато-яйцевидных, длиной 7—12 см, остроконечные, с широко-клиновидным или усечённым основанием, мелколопастные и мелкозубчатые, сверху голые, серовато-зелёные, снизу голые или с коротким ржавым опушением; черешки и жилки красные или жёлтые. Край листа подвернут - признак, по которому этот вид можно отличить от близких видов.

Шишки по 6—8, яйцевидные или яйцевидно-продолговатые, длиной 1,5—2,5 см, на коротких оранжевых ножках или сидячие.

Red alder leaves.jpg
Alnus rubra 9819.JPG
Red Alder Female Catkins in Autumn.jpg
Alnus rubra seeds.jpg
Слева направо:
Листья. Мужские серёжки. Женские серёжки. Семена.

Болезни и вредители

Патогенные грибы

Сумчатый гриб Taphrina alni, встречающийся на нескольких видах ольхи, паразитирует и на ольхе красной. Он поражает женские серёжки, вызывая листовидные разрастания их чешуек[3].

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Классификация

Таксономия

Вид Ольха красная входит в род Ольха (Alnus) подсемейства Берёзовые (Betuloideae) семейства Берёзовые (Betulaceae) порядка Букоцветные (Fagales).


ещё 7 семейств
(согласно Системе APG II) ещё 1—2 рода порядок Букоцветные подсемейство Берёзовые вид
Ольха красная
отдел Цветковые, или Покрытосеменные семейство Берёзовые род
Ольха ещё 44 порядка цветковых растений
(согласно Системе APG II) ещё одно подсемейство, Лещиновые
(согласно Системе APG II) ещё около 45 видов

Примечания

  1. Об условности указания класса двудольных в качестве вышестоящего таксона для описываемой в данной статье группы растений см. раздел «Системы APG» статьи «Двудольные».
  2. 1 2 По данным сайта GRIN (см. карточку растения).
  3. Каратыгин И. В. Порядки Тафриновые, Протомициевые, Экзобазидиевые, Микростромациевые. — СПб.: «Наука», 2002. — С. 27—28. — (Определитель грибов России). — ISBN 5-02-026184-X.
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Ольха красная: Brief Summary ( Russian )

provided by wikipedia русскую Википедию

Ольха́ кра́сная (лат. Alnus rubra) — вид цветковых растений рода Ольха (Alnus) семейства Берёзовые (Betulaceae).

Введена в культуру с 1884 года. Красивое декоративное растение с крупными листьями.

В природе ареал вида охватывает Северную Америку.

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copyright
Авторы и редакторы Википедии