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Alnus incana

(L.) Moench

Speckled Alder

G5Secure Found in 136 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
UnknownThreat Impact
grey alder (Alnus incana). Photo by Tom Field, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Tom Field, CC BY 4.0
grey alder (Alnus incana). Photo by Наталья Пикалова, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Наталья Пикалова, CC BY 4.0
grey alder (Alnus incana). Photo by Stanislav Murashkin, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Stanislav Murashkin, CC BY 4.0
grey alder (Alnus incana). Photo by Étienne Lacroix-Carignan, CC0 1.0, via iNaturalist.
Étienne Lacroix-Carignan, CC0 1.0
grey alder (Alnus incana). Photo by Cole Wolf, CC BY 4.0, via iNaturalist.
Cole Wolf, CC BY 4.0
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.161464
Element CodePDBET01020
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderFagales
FamilyBetulaceae
GenusAlnus
Other Common Names
Aulne blanc (FR) Gray Alder (EN) gray alder (EN)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-08-27
Change Date1983-11-03
Edition Date2024-09-16
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2024)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank Reasons
Alnus incana is a widespread deciduous tree or shrub found on streambanks, lakeshores, bogs, swamps, wet thickets, marshes, in the margins of wet fields, swales, roadsides, and muskegs. Its native range is in North America and Europe. There are over 3,000 occurrences of this species, which are potentially threatened by development, succession, diseases, drought, flooding, predation, invasive species, and other threats in some places. Little is known about threats or trends, but with a large range extent, a high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, Alnus incana is considered secure.
Range Extent Comments
Alnus incana is a widespread species, with a native range in North America and Europe (POWO 2024). In North America it occurs from Alaska and the Northwest Territories east to Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, and most states in the western and northeastern United States (FNA 1997). It also occurs as an introduced species in parts of western Europe (POWO 2024). Range extent was estimated to be 42 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024 (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024). See individual entries for distribution details about the four subspecies (two in North America).
Occurrences Comments
By applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024, there are estimated to be over 3,000 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024).
Threat Impact Comments
Threats to Alnus incana are not well documented, but potentially include development, succession, diseases, drought, flooding, predation, invasive species, and other threats in some places, though there is insufficient data, including anecdotal accounts, to understand scope and severity of threats for this species.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

In North America, Alnus incana occurs on streambanks, lakeshores, bogs, swamps, wet thickets, marshes, in the margins of wet fields, swales, roadsides, and muskegs (FNA 1997, Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2024).

Reproduction

Alnus incana is monoecious and wind-pollinated (Fryer 2011). Seeds are dispersed by wind and water.
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest/WoodlandForest EdgeGrassland/herbaceous
Palustrine Habitats
HERBACEOUS WETLANDFORESTED WETLANDBog/fenRiparian
Other Nations (2)
CanadaN5
ProvinceRankNative
ManitobaS5Yes
OntarioS5Yes
Nova ScotiaS5Yes
NunavutSHYes
AlbertaS5Yes
New BrunswickS5Yes
QuebecSNRYes
British ColumbiaS5Yes
SaskatchewanS5Yes
Northwest TerritoriesS4Yes
Island of NewfoundlandS5Yes
Yukon TerritoryS5Yes
LabradorS4Yes
Prince Edward IslandS5Yes
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
NevadaS3Yes
ConnecticutSNRYes
MarylandSNRYes
IndianaS3Yes
OregonSNRYes
IdahoSNRYes
New MexicoSNRYes
IllinoisSNRYes
Navajo NationSNRYes
Rhode IslandSNRYes
VirginiaS2Yes
MontanaS4Yes
ColoradoS5Yes
New JerseySNRYes
UtahSNRYes
ArizonaSNRYes
New HampshireSNRYes
MichiganSNRYes
West VirginiaS4Yes
MaineSNRYes
IowaSNRYes
VermontS5Yes
New YorkSNRYes
WisconsinSNRYes
WashingtonSNRYes
MinnesotaSNRYes
CaliforniaSNRYes
WyomingS4Yes
MassachusettsSNRYes
AlaskaSNRYes
PennsylvaniaS5Yes
OhioSNRYes
North DakotaSNRYes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
Unknown/undetermined———

—

Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL, DECIDUOUS
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (136)
Alaska (1)
AreaForestAcres
Kenai LakeChugach National Forest213,172
Arizona (5)
AreaForestAcres
Barbershop CanyonCoconino National Forest1,311
East Clear CreekCoconino National Forest1,613
Lower San FranciscoApache-Sitgreaves National Forests59,310
PinalenoCoronado National Forest130,920
PipestemApache-Sitgreaves National Forests34,598
California (31)
AreaForestAcres
Black ButteMendocino National Forest15,461
Bucks LakePlumas National Forest680
Butt Mtn.Lassen National Forest8,217
Caples CreekEldorado National Forest17,854
Carson - IcebergStanislaus National Forest56,430
Castle PeakTahoe National Forest14,974
Chips CreekPlumas National Forest12,940
Chips CreekLassen National Forest29,089
Cub CreekLassen National Forest8,643
DardanellesEldorado National Forest8,110
Dinkey LakesSierra National Forest34,171
DomeStanislaus National Forest11,085
EagleStanislaus National Forest16,116
East YubaTahoe National Forest17,968
EbbettsHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest255
Granite ChiefTahoe National Forest6,546
GrindstoneMendocino National Forest26,031
Grouse LakesTahoe National Forest19,085
Heart LakeLassen National Forest9,349
Hoover - NorthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,574
Iceberg - Mill CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest26,988
Iceberg - Silver Mtn.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest294
Middle YubaTahoe National Forest7,379
Mokelumne - SprattHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest613
NightStanislaus National Forest3,173
North Fork American RiverTahoe National Forest38,495
Onion SpringsLassen National Forest2,421
PyramidEldorado National Forest24,347
Raymond PeakStanislaus National Forest3,646
RussianKlamath National Forest21,771
SherwinInyo National Forest3,140
Colorado (3)
AreaForestAcres
Comanche Peak Adjacent AreaArapaho & Roosevelt NFs44,158
Long ParkRoutt NF42,100
Storm PeakSan Juan NF57,617
Idaho (5)
AreaForestAcres
Boulder - White CloudsSalmon-Challis National Forest139,297
Boulder - White CloudsSawtooth National Forest322,653
North Lochsa SlopeNez Perce-Clearwater National Forest117,662
Pioneer MountainsSalmon-Challis National Forest172,460
Pioneer MountainsSawtooth National Forest119,563
Michigan (1)
AreaForestAcres
DeliriumHiawatha National Forest190
Minnesota (7)
AreaForestAcres
Baker - Homer - Brule LakesSuperior National Forest6,712
Brule Lake - Eagle MountainSuperior National Forest12,380
Cabin CreekSuperior National Forest6,071
Hegman LakesSuperior National Forest675
Kawishiwi Lake To SawbillSuperior National Forest15,305
Phantom LakeSuperior National Forest6,521
Tait LakeSuperior National Forest6,327
Montana (24)
AreaForestAcres
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLewis and Clark National Forest344,022
Bear - Marshall - Scapegoat - SwanLolo National Forest118,485
Big BaldyLewis and Clark National Forest43,135
Bmss Ra 1485Flathead National Forest334,275
BridgerGallatin National Forest45,059
Buckhorn Ridge (MT)Kootenai National Forest34,716
Burnt MountainCuster National Forest10,698
Cube Iron - SilcoxLolo National Forest36,998
ElkhornHelena National Forest75,468
Fishtail SaddlebackCuster National Forest16,359
Gallatin FringeGallatin National Forest51,571
Jerico MountainHelena National Forest8,445
Mt. Gmt Area HCuster National Forest1,335
North AbsarokaCuster National Forest21,063
QuiggLolo National Forest67,267
QuiggBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest12,712
Red Lodge Creek HellroaringCuster National Forest17,210
Roderick #684Kootenai National Forest29,677
Saddle Mountain #168Kootenai National Forest14,675
SapphireBitterroot National Forest43,303
Selway - Bitterroot (01067)Bitterroot National Forest114,953
Silver KingBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest64,289
Stony MountainLolo National Forest32,796
Stony MountainBitterroot National Forest44,057
Nevada (5)
AreaForestAcres
Copper Mtns.Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest31,945
Jobs Peak (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest1,342
Rose - EvansHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest4,782
Rose - GalenaHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest3,711
Rose - Whites CanyonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest2,568
New Hampshire (2)
AreaForestAcres
Kinsman MountainWhite Mountain National Forest8,999
Wild RiverWhite Mountain National Forest46,878
New Mexico (13)
AreaForestAcres
Black CanyonSanta Fe National Forest1,922
Columbine - Hondo Wilderness Study AreaCarson National Forest43,739
Comales CanyonCarson National Forest4,389
Devils CreekGila National Forest89,916
Grass MountainSanta Fe National Forest3,254
Holy GhostSanta Fe National Forest2,352
Juan de Gabaldon GrantSanta Fe National Forest8,023
Latir PeakCarson National Forest3,573
PecosCarson National Forest13,436
Pecos WS RiverSanta Fe National Forest5,396
Tesuque CreekSanta Fe National Forest810
Thompson PeakSanta Fe National Forest33,001
Virgin CanyonSanta Fe National Forest6,068
Oregon (10)
AreaForestAcres
Bend WatershedDeschutes National Forest14,829
Glacier MountainMalheur National Forest20,661
HuckleberryWallowa-Whitman National Forest11,238
Hurricane CreekWallowa-Whitman National Forest1,606
Jaussaud CorralUmatilla National Forest5,535
Lookout MountainOchoco National Forest14,115
Mt. JeffersonDeschutes National Forest2,282
Twin MountainWallowa-Whitman National Forest58,533
Upper Catherine CreekWallowa-Whitman National Forest6,446
Walla Walla RiverUmatilla National Forest34,416
Utah (12)
AreaForestAcres
418012Uinta National Forest25,758
418013Uinta National Forest14,643
418014Uinta National Forest9,683
418015Uinta National Forest17,289
418016Uinta National Forest35,240
418040Uinta National Forest1,702
LakesWasatch-Cache National Forest121,967
Mt. OlympusWasatch-Cache National Forest9,982
Stansbury MountainsWasatch-Cache National Forest39,696
Temple PeakWasatch-Cache National Forest24,081
Twin PeaksWasatch-Cache National Forest6,157
White PineWasatch-Cache National Forest1,942
Vermont (1)
AreaForestAcres
Bread LoafGreen Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,768
Washington (6)
AreaForestAcres
Abercrombie - HooknoseColville National Forest33,862
Black CanyonOkanogan National Forest9,681
Meadow CreekUmatilla National Forest4,882
Pasayten RimOkanogan National Forest17,074
TeanawayWenatchee National Forest72,849
Thorp Mtn.Wenatchee National Forest22,717
West Virginia (4)
AreaForestAcres
Cranberry AdditionMonongahela National Forest11,123
Cranberry Glades Botanical AreaMonongahela National Forest785
Dolly Sods Roaring PlainMonongahela National Forest13,392
Falls Of Hills CreekMonongahela National Forest6,925
Wisconsin (2)
AreaForestAcres
09011 - Flynn Lake Study AreaChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest5,951
09157 - Chase CreekChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest6,140
Wyoming (4)
AreaForestAcres
Libby FlatsMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest11,107
Middle ForkShoshone National Forest51,772
Middle ForkMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest13,238
Platte River AdditionMedicine Bow-Routt National Forest7,962
References (9)
  1. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 1997. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 3. Magnoliophyta: Magnoliidae and Hamamelidae. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxiii + 590 pp.
  2. Fryer, Janet L. 2011.<i> Alnus incana.</i> In: Fire Effects Information System. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Online. Available: https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/tree/alninc/all.html (accessed 2024).
  3. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 2024. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) data portal. Online. Available: https://www.gbif.org/ (accessed 2024).
  4. iNaturalist. 2024. Online. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org (accessed 2024).
  5. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  6. Little, E.L., Jr. 1979. Checklist of United States trees (native and naturalized). Agriculture Handbook No. 541. U.S. Forest Service, Washington, D.C. 375 pp.
  7. Plants of the World Online (POWO). 2024. Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Online. Available: https://powo.science.kew.org/ (accessed 2024).
  8. Southwest Environmental Information Network (SEINet). 2024. Collections Databases. Online. Available: https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/collections/index.php (accessed 2024).
  9. Weakley, A.S., and Southeastern Flora Team. 2024. Flora of the southeastern United States. Edition of March 4, 2024. University of North Carolina Herbarium (NCU), North Carolina Botanical Garden, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. 2203 pp.