Template:Short description Template:Italic title Template:Speciesbox Alnus cordata, the Italian alder,<ref name=powo>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=BSBI07>Template:BSBI 2007</ref> is a tree or shrub species belonging to the family Betulaceae, and native to the southern Apennine Mountains (Campania, Basilicata and Calabria, mainly on western mountain sides) and the north-eastern mountains of Corsica.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> It has been introduced in Sicily, Sardinia, and more recently in Central-Northern Italy,<ref name=EU_Atlas>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Camarda-1982">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> other European countries (France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, United Kingdom)<ref>Template:Cite iucn</ref> and extra-European countries (Chile, New Zealand),<ref name=EU_Atlas /> where it has become naturalised.
DescriptionEdit
It is a medium-sized tree growing up to Template:Convert tall<ref name=Rushforth>Template:Cite book</ref> (exceptionally to Template:Convert), with a trunk up to Template:Convert in diameter.
The leaves are deciduous but with a very long season in leaf, from April to December in the Northern Hemisphere; they are alternate, ovate or circular-ovate shaped,<ref name="Villani-2021">Villani, F., Castellana, S., Beritognolo, I., Cherubini, M., Chiocchini, F., Battistelli, A., & Mattioni, C. (2021). Genetic Variability of Alnus cordata (Loisel.) Duby Populations and Introgressive Hybridization with A. glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. in Southern Italy: Implication for Conservation and Management of Genetic Resources. Forests, 12(6), 655.</ref> cordate at base,<ref name="Villani-2021" /> rich glossy green, Template:Convert long, with a finely serrated margin.Template:Citation needed The bark is smooth with greyish brown colour.<ref name="Villani-2021" /> The trees' large leaf areas are partly due to their long tree tops. Fall arrives usually around the end of November, and the leaves don't change from their original green color. The colorful foliage may last till mid-December in certain years.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
The slender cylindrical male contain 5 - 6 catkins,<ref name="TreesGBI-2014">Template:Citation</ref> pendulous, reddish and up to Template:Convert long;<ref name="Rushforth" /> pollination is in early spring, before the leaves emerge. The female catkins are ovoid, when mature in autumn Template:Convert long and Template:Convert broad, dark green to brown, hard, woody, and they develop into pseudo-cones.<ref name="TreesGBI-2014" /> The small winged seeds disperse by wind and through the winter they ripen, turning from green to dark brown colour, and they open the following spring.<ref name="TreesGBI-2014" />
It has three natural growing shapes. 1) Along rivers with room to grow and plenty of water one base will often give rise to four to six stems, which fan out at some ten degrees from vertical. 2) In open meadows near rivers, marshy ground and flooding can cause trees to angle or tilt over, whereupon over a matter of seasons they grow natural bends to return the upper trunk to vertical. It is not uncommon to find cordatas with S shapes arising from two tilting events. 3) In groves of multiple trees they grow thinner and straighter, such that a grove of a 100 trees can be an excellent renewable source of straight timber good for woodwork.Template:Citation needed
SubspeciesEdit
Two subspecies are accepted.<ref name = powo/>
- Alnus cordata subsp. cordata – northeastern Corsica
- Alnus cordata subsp. neapolitana Template:Small – southern Italian Peninsula
CultivationEdit
Like other alders, it is able to improve soil fertility through symbiotic nitrogen fixation with the bacteria Actinomyces alni (Frankia alni).<ref name="Ducci-2009">Template:Cite journal</ref> It thrives on much drier soils than most other alders, and grows rapidly even under very unfavourable circumstances, which renders it extremely valuable for landscape planting on difficult sites such as mining spoil heaps and heavily compacted urban sites. It is commonly grown as a windbreak which helps with soil protection.Template:Citation needed<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Alnus cordata is regarded as a desirable candidate for bioremediation due to its presence in an ecosystem being associated with beneficial effects such as increased amounts of organic carbon and nitrogen-rich litter.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Alnus cordata has gained The Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
BonsaiEdit
The Italian Alder makes a medium to large bonsai, a quick grower it responds well to pruning with branches ramifying well and leaf size reducing quite rapidly.<ref name="Ma-Ke_Alnus cordata ">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Other usesEdit
Researchers analyzed the phenolic composition of the stem bark of A. cordata, they were able to determine that its components were similar to those of skin-whitening and antioxidant properties. Because these qualities are antioxidant-rich, they can be safely used to treat skin diseases through their bleaching capabilities.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
The tree also produces valuable reddish-orange wood. It breaks down when exposed to alternating dry and damp air, but is highly durable when kept wet or dry. As demonstrated in the construction of Venice, when immersed in water it lasts for centuries. Also when used within condensation-free, temperature and humidity controlled buildings it has a reputation for maintaining a smooth and naturally shiny finish. The timber is liked by carpenters and used for turning and carving, for moulding, furniture, panelling and plywood.<ref name="Ducci-2009" />
- ItalAlder.jpg
Foliage and immature male catkins
- ItalAlderFruit.jpg
Female (seed) catkins
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
- Alnus cordata - distribution map, genetic conservation units and related resources. European Forest Genetic Resources Programme (EUFORGEN)
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