Speckled Alder

Speckled Alder

Speckled Alder Alnus rugosa is widely distributed in North America. It is a shrubby plant with several upright stems growing in a clump. It likes open wet areas along streams and by swamps. The shallow roots have little nodules which harbour bacteria and these organisms take nitrogen from the air and produce nitrates that are used by the alder. When the shrub dies and rots, this fertilising nitrate is available for other woodland species to use. [CH] {NT}