Alder
Alnus glutinosa
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Pl. 6BA6 — Alnus glutinosa
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IOverview
Overview
Alnus glutinosa is a perennial plant in the family that includes alders, and it is native to a wide range of regions, including parts of Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. It is known to have documented medicinal use. This plant is often found in areas with full sun to partial sun and shade, and it can thrive in moist to wet conditions with medium to heavy clay soil. One of its distinctive features is its ability to grow quite tall. Additionally, its hardiness allows it to survive in a variety of conditions, making it a notable species in its native range, which includes countries such as Albania, Austria, and Belgium.
Quick answers
What is Alder?
Alnus glutinosa is a perennial plant in the family that includes alders, and it is native to a wide range of regions, including parts of Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. It is known to have documented medicinal use.
What is Alder used for?
Traditionally used for digestion, immune support. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Alder
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources- Alder bark has been traditionally used in European herbal medicine to aid digestion, often prepared as a decoction. It is believed to help with occasional digestive discomfort.
The mechanism by which alder supports digestive health is not fully characterised but may involve compounds such as tannins and flavonoids that have anti-inflammatory properties.
- Alder bark has been traditionally used in European herbal medicine to support immune function, often prepared as a decoction. It is believed to help the body respond to seasonal challenges.
The mechanism by which alder supports immune health is not fully characterised but may involve compounds such as tannins and flavonoids that have antioxidant properties.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
This perennial plant thrives in full sun to partial sun and shade, and prefers moist to wet conditions. It can tolerate a range of soils, from medium to heavy clay. Hardy in zones 3-7, it can grow to a height of 25 meters. To cultivate, gardeners should provide the appropriate light and water conditions, and select a suitable location with the right soil type. Propagation methods are not specified, so gardeners may need to experiment to find the best approach for this plant. With proper care, it can be a striking addition to a garden or landscape.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist, Wet
Soil
Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
3-7
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
25.0 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Alder for the first time
8steps
Start with planting Alder in a moist, well-draining soil that gets plenty of sunlight.
- 1
What you'll need
Alder saplings or seeds, garden gloves, spade, watering can.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant Alder in spring or autumn when the soil is moist and temperatures are mild.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure the soil is well-draining but moisture-retentive. Amend with organic matter if needed.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant Alder saplings in spring, or sow seeds directly where they will grow.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Monitor for pests and diseases.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide regular watering during dry spells. Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune Alder annually to remove dead wood and encourage new growth.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in poor soil, neglecting regular pruning, using chemical fertilizers, and not providing enough sunlight.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Other uses:Fire starterDyeHedgerowInkPest controlPioneerWind breakerSoil reclamationTanninTeethLumberNitrogen fixer
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 30 native
Europe18 regions
native (18)AustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyNetherlandsNorwayPolandRussiaUkraineUnited Kingdom
Asia2 regions
native (2)IranKazakhstan
Africa3 regions
native (3)AlgeriaLibyaMorocco
Broader regions
native:Baltic States, Czechoslovakia
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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- Citation
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