1. Alder- Common or Smooth
Alnus serrulata

2. Figure 1: Classification Table
Kingdom
Plantae
Plants
Subkingdom
Tracheobionta
Vascular Plants
Superdivision
Spermatophyta
Seed Plants
Division
Magnoliophyta
Flowering Plants
Class
Magnoliopsida
Dicotyledons
Subclass
Hamamelididae
Order
Fagales
Family
Betulaceae
Birch Family
Genius
Alnus Mill
alder
Species
Alnus serrulata
Hazel alder
Figure 1: Classification Table

3. Shape, form, and Type
The Alder tree is a deciduous, thicket forming small tree, or large shrub, it can grow up to 20 feet tall ,and spread to feet wide. [1]
Figure 2: Alder tree

4. Bark and Twig
The twigs on the Alder tree are thin, reddish brown in color and with gray fuzz [3]
The bark on the Alder tree is thin, varying from brownish to gray, it is smooth and muscled with a fluted trunk.
[2]
Figure 3: Bark of Alder tree
Figure 4: Twig of Alder Tree

5. Leaf
The leaves of an Alder tree tend to be ovate to elliptical in shape with toothed and lobed edges. They are pinnate and simple, and are alternate. They are green above and a light yellow-green and hairy underneath. They vary from 2 to 5 inches in length and 1 ¼ to 2 ¾ inches wide. [4]
Figure 5: Leaves of Alder tree

6. Figure 6: Bud of Alder Tree
The buds located on the Alder tree are oval in shape stalked, plump, and covered in 2 to 3 inch reddish purple scales. [5]
Figure 6: Bud of Alder Tree

7. Figure 9: Fruit of Alder tree
Flower and Fruit
The flowers on the Alder tree are Monoecious, the male flower is a green brown catkins varying from 1 to 1 ½ inches long, the female flower is reddish in color and ½ and inch long, the flowers open in spring [6]
The fruit of and Alder tree is woody, cone like catkin, similar to a pine cone. It tends to be ½ an inch long, and each scale encloses a tiny, winged seed. The fruit ripens in the fall. [6]
Figure 8: Female flower
of Alder tree
Figure 9: Fruit of Alder tree
Figure 7: Male flower
of Alder tree

8. Figure 10: range of Alder tree
Habitat and Range
The Alder tree tends to be found in moist lowlands, bordering streams and lakes, and swamps and bogs. Tends to be found on lowland sites from New England to Florida and Texas, and westward to Ohio and Minnesota. [7]
Figure 10: range of Alder tree

9. Figure 11: This extract contains the bark
Uses
The Alder tree has many medical uses, the tea from its bark is an analgesic, astringent, and a blood purifier. It is used in the treatment of diarrhea, toothaches, coughs, childbirth pains. Its also good as a wash for hives, poison ivy rash, swellings and sprains. Its roots are planted on the banks of streams to prevent erosion, but because the wood is soft and brittle it has little or no commercial value. [8]
Figure 11: This extract contains the bark
of an Alder tree.

10. References of Data Shape, form and type- Bark- Twig- Leaves- Bud-
1989. Kevin Tarner. Georgia Wildlife Federation. Date Retrieved: 6/22/
Bark-
Twig-
2010. Virginia Tech. USDA Plants Database. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010
Leaves-
Bud-
2010. Virginia Tech. USDA Plants Database. Date Retrieved: 6/22/
Flower and Fruit-
Habitat and range-
Earl J.S.Rook. Date Retrieved: 6/22/
Uses-
2008. Pants for a Future. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010

11. References of Pictures
Figure 1: Classification table-
USDA. Plants profile. Date Retrieved:6/22/10
Figure 2: Alder tree-
2008. Mellow Marshmallow. Date Retrieved: 6/22/
Figure 3: Bark of Alder tree-
2006. Missouri Plants. Date retrieved: 6/22/
Figure 4: Twig of Alder tree-
2002. Steve Baskauf. Discover Life. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010
Figure 5: Leaves of Alder tree-
2009. Will Cook. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2011
Figure 6: Bud of Alder tree-
2000. Key to Winter Twigs. Date Retrieved: 6/22/10

12. References to Pictures Cont.
Figure 7: Male flower of Alder tree-
2002. Steve Baskauf. Discover Life. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010
Figure 8: Female Flower of Alder tree-
2006. Missouri Plants. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010
Figure 9: Fruit of Alder tree-
2002. Gary Fewless. Date retrieved: 6/22/2010
Figure 10: Habitat and range of Alder tree-
2010. Virginia Tech. USDA Plants Database. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010
Figure 11: Alder tree medical uses-
Gaia Herbs. Scudder’s Alternative Supreme. Date Retrieved: 6/22/2010