Alnus acuminata

Alnus acuminata (also called Alder) is a species of tree in the Betulaceae family. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Central America, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela.

There are three subspecies; Alnus acuminata subsp. acuminata occurs from Colombia and Venezuela south to northern Argentina; Alnus acuminata subsp. arguta (Schltdl.) Furlow occurs from northwestern Mexico south to Panama; and Alnus acuminata subsp. glabrata (Fernald) Furlow occurs in central and southern Mexico.

Description

Alnus acuminata is a small tree up to 25 metres (80 ft) tall with a straight trunk up to 150 centimetres (60 in) thick. The bark has many yellowish lenticels. The leaves are simple, oval with toothed margins. The inflorescences are catkins, separate male and female flowers on the same tree. The male flowers are up to 12 cm (5 in) long and pendulous, while the smaller female flowers are green, erect and resemble a small cone. After wind fertilisation, the female flowers develop into 2 cm (0.8 in) long dehiscent, woody brown fruits. There are eighty to one hundred winged seeds per fruit, and these are liberated when ripe, leaving the dried out fruit husks on the tree.