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Alnus nitida - (Spach.)Endel.

Common Name West Himalayan Alder
Family Betulaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats By rivers and streams, 600 - 1200 metres, occasionally to 2700 metres[146].
Range E. Asia - Himalayas.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Wet Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Alnus nitida West Himalayan Alder


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Alnus_nitida_Bra57.png
Alnus nitida West Himalayan Alder

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Alnus nitida is a deciduous Tree growing to 30 m (98ft 5in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower in September. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Clethropsis nitida.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent

A decoction of the bark is applied externally to treat swellings and body pains[272].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye  Wood

Tannin is obtained from the bark, it is used in dyeing[146, 158, 272]. Wood - soft, even grained, hard to cut. Used for construction and furniture[146, 158, 272].

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a heavy soil and a damp situation[1, 11]. Grows well in heavy clay soils[11]. Tolerates drier soils than most members of this genus[200]. Succeeds in very infertile sites[200]. Trees probably tolerate temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c and so will not succeed outdoors in the colder areas of the country. A very ornamental tree[1]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil micro-organisms, these form nodules on the roots of the plants and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is branching: a heart root, dividing from the crown into several primary roots going down and out [2-1].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe and only just covered[200]. Spring sown seed should also germinate successfully so long as it is not covered[200, K]. The seed should germinate in the spring as the weather warms up. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. If growth is sufficient, it is possible to plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer, otherwise keep them in pots outdoors and plant them out in the spring. If you have sufficient quantity of seed, it can be sown thinly in an outdoor seed bed in the spring[78]. The seedlings can either be planted out into their permanent positions in the autumn/winter, or they can be allowed to grow on in the seed bed for a further season before planting them. Cuttings of mature wood, taken as soon as the leaves fall in autumn, outdoors in sandy soil.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Alnus acuminataAlderTree25.0 10-12 FLMHSNM023
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Alnus nepalensisNepalese AlderTree22.0 8-11 FMHSNMWe013
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Alnus serrulataSmooth Alder, Hazel alderShrub4.5 3-9  MHNMWe022
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Alnus viridis crispaAmerican Green AlderShrub3.0 4-8  MHSNMWe123

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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(Spach.)Endel.

Botanical References

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