hazel alder Betulaceae Alnus serrulata (Aiton) Willd.   symbol: ALSE2
	Leaf: Alternate, simple, obovate to elliptical, 2 to 4 inches long, pinnately-veined, finely serrated wavy margin, dark green above, paler and finely hairy beneath. Flower: Monoecious; both males and females preformed; males green brown catkins, 1 to 1 1/2 inches; female 1/2 inch long, reddish, opening in early spring. Fruit: Woody, cone like catkin, 1/2 inch long, dark brown with each scale enclosing a tiny, winged seed. Fruit ripens in fall and is very persistant. Twig: Reddish brown with gray fuzz, 3-angled pith; buds are stalked, plump, covered in 2 to 3 red-purple scales, resemble a match head. Bark: Thin, gray to brown and smooth, trunk fluted. Form: A multi-stemmed small tree or large shrub with several twisted stems reaching up to 15 feet tall.
	USDA Plants Database Alnus serrulata is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. See states reporting hazel alder (opens a new window).