A native tree of damp or wet ground, often found beside rivers, ponds and canals or in a type of wet woodland called 'carr', where it will be accompanied by willows. The male flowers are produced in early spring in long narrow catkins. The female flowers, produced at the same time, are borne in woody, rounded structures resembling tiny pine cones which persist on the tree for more than one season. Pollination and seed dispersal are by wind.
All names: Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertner; Alnus rotundifolia Stokes; Alnus alnus (L.) Britton