Alnus rugosa
Speckled alder is a moderately large shrub whose small seed catkins have been collected and painted for artwork. There leaves are somewhat heart-shaped with the underside somewhat whitened or velvety. The dark bark is speckled with criss-crossed white warty pores. It can reach heights of 15-25'. Speckled alder is tolerant of shade but intolerant of drought. It prefers loamy organic soils.
Wildlife Food & Cover:Good food - buds, twigs. Good cover-nesting, perching, escape.
Flowers: Catkin, early spring 1-2" long
Fruit: Winged nutlets in woody cone-like catkin
Ecosystem: Lowland Hardwood Forest, Lowland Hardwood Forest, Hardwood Swamp, Tamarack Swamp, White Cedar Swamp, Alder Swamp
Other: Small seed catkins collected and painted for artwork
