Sitka Alder

Alnus viridis ssp. Sinuata

(1-99)  $3.59

(100-999) $2.87

(1000+)  $2.69

Sitka alder (Alnus viridis subsp. sinuata) is a native deciduous shrub or small tree that grows to a height of 1-6 m (3-19 ft) in the mountains and 6-12 m (19-37ft) at low elevations. The species occurs from southern and western Alaska and the Yukon southward to northern California and eastward to southwestern Alberta, western Montana, and Idaho. The form is upright, multi-stemmed, and freely branching at the base with a rounded crown. Male flowers are in the form of long catkins that begin opening in late winter. Found separately on the same plant are the female flowers which are cone-like (short catkins called strobiles) and bloom in early spring when the leaves appear. The seeds are winged nutlets that mature in autumn or early winter within the egg-shaped woody cones. The leaves are broadly oval, 1 to 5 in. long, shiny above, wavy and finely toothed on the margins, and slightly scented and sticky beneath when young. Nodules containing nitrogen fixing bacteria form on the strong fibrous roots. The bark is smooth and grey. Twigs form a zigzag branch pattern