Japanese Alder🌳

A deciduous tree in the birch family. Distributed across Japan, Korea, China, and the Russian Far East. Grows in lowland wetlands, swamps, and rice-paddy margins. Nitrogen-fixing root nodules allow it to thrive in poor or waterlogged soils. In winter, pendant catkins precede small pine-cone-like strobili. The rot-resistant wood was used for stakes and geta clogs. Also a notable source of seasonal allergens.

Identification Points

• ✓Alternate obovate leaves with shallow serrations
• ✓Small pine-cone-like strobili
• ✓Thrives in wetlands

Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification

Phylogenetic Positionカバノキ科 →