Pollinator plant

European Alder

Alnus glutinosa

Linked agroforestry plant data
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Common names

57 names · 35 languages
EnglishYour language
+2 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (34)
Dutch
  • Gewone els
  • Grauwe els
  • Rød-el[2][3]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
French
Afrikaans
Basque
Belarusian
  • Вольха чорная[3]
Bulgarian
  • Черна елша[3]
Catalan
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 欧洲桤木[3]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 歐洲赤楊[3]
Croatian
Czech
  • olše lepkavá[3]
Danish
Estonian
Finnish
  • Tervaleppä[3]
German
+2 more namesShow fewer names
Greek
  • Άλνος ο κολλώδης[3]
  • Σκλήθρο[3]
Hungarian
  • mézgás éger[3]
Italian
Japanese
  • オウシュウクロハンノキ[3]
  • セイヨウヤマハンノキ[3]
  • ヨーロッパハンノキ[3]
Latvian
  • Melnalksnis[3]
Lithuanian
  • Juodalksnis[3]
Luxembourgish
Norwegian
Ojibwe
  • Biboon-miin[3]
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
  • Arin negru[3]
Russian
  • Ольха европейская[3]
  • Ольха клейкая[3]
  • Ольха чёрная[3]
Slovak
  • jelša lepkavá[3]
Slovenian
  • črna jelša[3]
Spanish
Swedish
Turkish
  • adi kızılağaç[3]
Ukrainian
  • Вільха клейка[3]
  • Вільха чорна[3]
Sources & name notes (3)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Catalogue language labels are reviewed separately from botanical source records.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Alnus glutinosa — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • European Alder — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Common Alder — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Black Alder — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Alnus glutinosa.
[2] Alnus glutinosa — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • European alder — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Zwarte els — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Aulne glutineux — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • common alder — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Eller — results[0].names[54]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Else — results[0].names[55]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Rot-Erle — results[0].names[56]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Schwarz-Erle — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Schwarzerle — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Black Alder — results[0].names[47]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Black Elder — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • European black alder — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • aliso — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Aliso común — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Aulne noir — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Aulne poisseux — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Ontano nero — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Rød-el — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Amieiro — results[0].names[45]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
[3] Alnus glutinosa — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • European alder — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Zwarte els — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Aulne glutineux — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • common alder — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Eller — results[0].names[54]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Else — results[0].names[55]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Rot-Erle — results[0].names[56]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Schwarz-Erle — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Schwarzerle — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Black Alder — results[0].names[47]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Black Elder — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • European black alder — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • aliso — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Aliso común — results[0].names[46]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Aulne noir — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Aulne poisseux — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Ontano nero — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Rød-el — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Amieiro — results[0].names[45]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • must lepp — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • sanglepp — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Вольха чорная — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • olše lepkavá — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • vern — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Klibbal — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Ольха чёрная — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Ольха клейкая — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Ольха европейская — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • olsza czarna — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • svartor — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Juodalksnis — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Tervaleppä — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Rød-El — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • ヨーロッパハンノキ — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • オウシュウクロハンノキ — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • セイヨウヤマハンノキ — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Biboon-miin — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • jelša lepkavá — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Σκλήθρο — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Άλνος ο κολλώδης — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • 歐洲赤楊 — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Черна елша — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • adi kızılağaç — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Haltza — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Arin negru — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Alenter — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Вільха чорна — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Swartels — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • 欧洲桤木 — results[0].names[44]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Olcha — results[0].names[48]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • črna jelša — results[0].names[49]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • mézgás éger — results[0].names[50]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Melnalksnis — results[0].names[51]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Вільха клейка — results[0].names[52]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
  • Crna joha — results[0].names[53]; taxon id 966205; Alnus glutinosa.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Alnus glutinosa is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Betulaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
12.19–18.29 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
6.1–12.19 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Multi-stemmed; Pyramidal

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Rapid

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Deciduous

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist; Occasionally Wet

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)

NC State Extension profile. These source categories do not certify the catalogue’s numeric pH interval.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Spring

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Native range
Europe, northern Africa, western Asia

NC State Extension profile. Origin reported by the source; this is not a claim of local nativeness.

Sources [2]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Low suitability
Nectar value Unknown
Pollen value Low
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Tree
Size
Large
Dimensions
20.00 m high × 12.00 m wide
Growth rate
Slow
Lifecycle
Perennial
Foliage
Deciduous

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
3-7
Moisture
Moist, Wet
Soil
Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Partial shade, Sun

Uses

Functions
Nitrogen fixer, Pioneer plant, Charcoal, Dye, Hedge, Insecticide, Windbreak, Timber, Pollinator plant, Carbon farming
Edibility
0 out of 5
Medicinal value
3 out of 5

The black alder is a tree that is often seen as a pioneer species and is known for its ability to extract nitrogen from the air and bind it in the soil. However, little is known about any edible parts of the black alder.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Alnus glutinosa — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 4463645; ID C2Q2; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 4463645; ID C2Q2; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Alnus glutinosa — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageSoil textureSoil pHFlowering seasonNative range
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • Soil pH: Soil pH
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Native range: Country Or Region Of Origin

    Source checked on .