Transformational Gardening

Speckled Alder (Swamp Alder, Mountain Alder) (Alnus incana ssp. rugosa) (Synonyms: Alnus rugosa, Alnus rugosa var. americana): Images

Date Location Notes Images
August 24, 2011 Southeastern, New Hampshire There are three alders in New Hampshire:
  • Green Alder (Alnus viridis)
  • Hazel Alder (Alnus serrulata)
  • Speckled Alder (Alnus incana ssp. rugosa)
Green Alder has leaf buds that are pointed and have no stalk (sessile). As you can see from the pictures in the table (below), these buds have a round top and have a short, stubby stalk.

Hazel Alder does not have distinct whitish lenticels (pore-like aggregation of cells) on the bark. As you can see from the pictures below, there are long whitish lenticels on the bark.

This leaves only Speckled Alder. Other features include the double-serrated leaf margin, net-like venation on the back of the leaves, winged seeds in the cones, orange colored pith, grows near swamps and streams.