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European Alder

Alnus glutinosa

Found in disturbed areas, suburban woodlands, wetland restoration areas (where sometimes planted and spreading). Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

—
Not native

Not native to Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 82%

Height
40–60 feet
Spread
20–40 feet
Light
Full sun, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Usually moist
See native alternatives

Plant this instead

Choose your county to list local plants first.

  • Red Maple
    Acer rubrum

    Sun: Full to part sun. Soil: Average to moist. Flowers: Red.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

  • Downy Serviceberry
    Amelanchier arborea

    Sun: Full sun. Soil: Dry to average. Flowers: White.

    Similar growth form, height, evergreen or deciduous

  • American Elm
    Ulmus americana

    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Dry to moist. Flowers: Green or red.

    Similar growth form, height, evergreen or deciduous

    Dutch elm disease. Dutch elm disease affects this elm; in our area its effects vary, with less impact southward and in natural stands than in towns. Caution source

    Dutch elm disease. Dutch elm disease affects this elm; in our area its effects vary, with less impact southward and in natural stands than in towns. Caution source

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At a glance

Life cycle
Woody perennial
Leaves
Deciduous
Bloom
March to May
Fruiting season
Summer to fall

Recorded in 4 Virginia counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

Forests and woodlands

Forest or woodland where the source does not say how moist or dry.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

187CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including VA

Genus host records with ranges including VA · Alnus

  • Achatia distinctaDistinct Quaker
  • Achatodes zeaeElder Shoot Border Moth, Spindele Worm, Cornstalk Borer
  • Acleris semiannulaHalf-Ringed Acleris
  • Acrobasis rubrifasciellaAlder Tubemaker Moth
  • Acronicta americanaAmerican Dagger
  • Acronicta fragilisFragile Dagger
  • Acronicta funeralisFunerary Dagger, Paddle Caterpillar
  • Acronicta hastuliferaFrosted Dagger, Hoary Alder Dagger
  • Acronicta impletaYellow-Haired Dagger
  • Acronicta impressaImpressive Dagger, Printed Dagger
Show all 187
  • Acronicta innotataUnmarked Dagger
  • Acronicta longaLong-Winged Dagger, Darkish Dagger
  • Acronicta oblinitaSmeared Dagger
  • Actias lunaLuna Moth
  • Aethalura intertextaFour-Barred Gray
  • Agonopterix argillaceaClay-Colored Agonopterix
  • Amorbia humerosanaWhite-Lined Leafroller Moth
  • Amorpha juglandisWalnut Sphinx
  • Amphipyra pyramidoidesMiranda Underwing, Copper Underwing, Copper Amphipyra
  • Anavitrinella pampinariaCommon Gray, Cranberry Spanworm
  • Antepione thisoariaVariable Antepione
  • Antheraea polyphemusPolyphemus Moth
  • Apamea amputatrixYellow-Headed Cutworm Moth
  • Apatelodes torrefactaSpotted Apatelodes
  • Archips argyrospilaFruit-Tree Leafroller Moth
  • Archips cerasivoranaCherry Tent Caterpillar, Cherry Worm, Ugly Nest Caterpillar
  • Archips negundanaLarger Boxelder Leafroller Moth
  • Arctia parthenosSt. Lawrence Tiger Moth
  • Argyrotaenia marianaGray-Banded Leafroller Moth
  • Argyrotaenia velutinanaRed-Banded Leafroller Moth, Jack Pine Tube Moth
  • Autographa amplaLarge Looper Moth, Broken-Banded Y, Climbing Looper
  • Baileya doubledayiDoubleday's Baileya
  • Baileya ophthalmicaEyed Baileya
  • Besma endropiariaStraw Besma
  • Besma quercivorariaOak Besma
  • Bibarrambla allenellaBog Bibarrambla
  • Biston betulariaSalt-and-Pepper Geometer, Cleft-Headed Looper
  • Brachionycha borealisBoreal Sprawler, Boreal Fan Moth
  • Campaea perlataPale Beauty, Fringed Looper
  • Cecrita biundataWavy-Lined Heterocampa
  • Cenopis pettitanaMaple-Basswood Leafroller Moth
  • Cenopis reticulatanaReticulated Fruitworm Moth
  • Choristoneura conflictanaLarge Aspen Tortrix
  • Choristoneura rosaceanaOblique-Banded Leafroller Moth, Rosaceous Leaf Roller
  • Cladara atroliturataThe Scribbler
  • Clepsis melaleucanusBlack-Patched Clepsis, Trillium Tortrix
  • Clepsis persicanaWhite Triangle Tortrix
  • Clostera inclusaAngle-Lined Prominent, Poplar Tent Maker, Poplar Leaf-Tier
  • Coelodasys unicornisUnicorn Caterpillar Moth
  • Coleophora multipulvellaApple Pistol Casebearer, Pistol Casebearer Moth
  • Colocasia flavicornisYellowhorn, Saddled Yellowhorn
  • Cucullia intermediaIntermediate Cucullia, Goldenrod Cutworm, Dashed Paint, Intermediate Hooded Owlet Moth
  • Cyclophora pendulinariaSweetfern Geometer
  • Dasychira vagansVariable Tussock Moth
  • Derrima stellataPink Star
  • Drepana arcuataArched Hooktip, Masked Birch Caterpillar
  • Dysstroma citrataDark Marbled Carpet
  • Dysstroma truncataMarbled Carpet
  • Eacles imperialisImperial Moth, Imperial Spiny Caterpillar
  • Ectropis crepusculariaThe Small Engrailed, Saddleback Looper
  • Ennomos magnariaMaple Spanworm Moth, Notchwing Geometer
  • Ennomos subsignariaElm Spanworm Moth
  • Epinotia corylanaAlder Catkin Moth
  • Epirrita autumnataThe Autumnal Moth, November Moth
  • Episimus argutanaSumac Leaftier
  • Erannis tiliariaLinden Looper Moth, Western Winter Moth, Lime Looper
  • Estigmene acreaSalt Marsh Moth, Acrea Moth
  • Euchlaena marginariaOchre Euchlaena
  • Euchlaena tigrinariaMotted Euchlaena
  • Euclea delphiniiSpiny Oak-Slug Moth
  • Eulia ministranaFerruginous Eulia
  • Eupithecia columbiataColumbia Pug
  • Eupithecia fletcherataFletcher's Eupithecia
  • Eupithecia miserulataCommon Eupithacia, Common Pug
  • Eupithecia misturataInsignificant Pug
  • Eupithecia satyrataSatyr Pug
  • Euplexia benesimilisAmerican Angle Shades
  • Eupsilia tristigmataThree-Spotted Sallow, Brown Fruitworm
  • Eurois occultaGreat Grey Dart, Great Brocade
  • Evora hemidesmaSpirea Leaftier
  • Feniseca tarquiniusHarvester
  • Fishia illocataWandering Brocade
  • Halysidota tessellarisBanded Tussock Moth, Pale Tiger Moth
  • Herpetogramma pertextalisBold-Feathered Grass Moth
  • Hesperumia sulphurariaSulphur Moth
  • Hyalophora cecropiaCecropia Silkmoth, Cecropia Moth
  • Hydriomena pluviataSharp Green Hydriomena
  • Hydriomena renunciataRenounced Hydriomena
  • Hypagyrtis unipunctataOne-Spotted Variant
  • Hypena eductalisRed-Footed Bomolocha, Red-footed Snout
  • Hyphantria cuneaFall Webworm
  • Hyppa xylinoidesCommon Hyppa
  • Iridopsis larvariaBent-Line Gray
  • Lacanobia grandisGrand Arches
  • Lacanobia subjunctaSpeckled Arches, Subdues Arches, Harnessed Mamestra, Speckled Cutworm Moth, Grand Arches?(incorrectly)
  • Lambdina fiscellariaHemlock Looper, Western Oak Looper
  • Limenitis arthemisBanded Purple, Red-Spotted Admiral
  • Lithophane antennataAshen Pinion
  • Lithophane baileyiBailey's Pinion
  • Lithophane innominataNameless Pinion
  • Lithophane petulcaWanton Pinion
  • Lobophora nivigerataPowdered Bigwing, Two-Lined Aspen Looper
  • Lomographa semiclarataBluish Spring Moth, Wildcherry Looper
  • Lophocampa caryaeHickory Tussock Moth, Hickory Tiger Moth
  • Lophocampa maculataSpotted Tussock Moth, Yellow-Spotted Tiger Moth
  • Lycia ypsilonWoolly Gray
  • Lycophotia phyllophoraBrick Dart, Leafy Dart
  • Macaria ulsterataBirch Angle, Peacock Moth
  • Malacosoma americanaEastern Tent Caterpillar
  • Malacosoma disstriaForest Tent Caterpillar
  • Megalopyge crispataBlack-Waved Flannel Moth, Crinkled Flannel Moth
  • Melanchra adjunctaHitched Arches
  • Melanchra assimilisBlack Arches
  • Melanolophia canadariaCanadian Melanolphia, Variable Redmarked Looper
  • Melanolophia signatariaSignate Melanolphia
  • Mesoleuca ruficillataWhite-Ribboned Carpet, Red-fringed Carpet
  • Metarranthis duariaRuddy Metarranthis
  • Morrisonia latexFluid Arches, Fluid Mamestra
  • Nadata gibbosaWhite-Dotted Prominent
  • Nematocampa resistariaFilament Bearer, Horned Spanworm Moth
  • Nemoria mimosariaWhite-Fringed Emerald
  • Nemoria rubrifrontariaRed-Fronted Emerald
  • Nites betulellaBlackdotted Birch Leaftier
  • Nola clethraeSweet Pepperbush Nola
  • Nymphalis antiopaMourning Cloak
  • Oedemasia concinnaRed-Humped Caterpillar, Red-Humped Appleworm
  • Oedemasia semirufescensRed-Washed Prominent
  • Olethreutes appendiceumServiceberry Leafroller
  • Orgyia leucostigmaWhite-Marked Tussock Moth
  • Orthosia hibisciSpeckled Green Fruitworm Moth, Speckled Green Quaker
  • Orthosia revictaSubdued Quaker
  • Orthosia rubescensRuby Quaker
  • Orthotaenia undulanaDusky Leafroller
  • Palthis angulalisDark-Spotted Palthis
  • Pandemis canadanaGreen Aspen Leaftier
  • Pandemis limitataThree-Lined Leafroller Moth
  • Papilio glaucusEastern Tiger Swallowtail
  • Paranthrene asilipennisOak Stump Borer Moth, Oak Borer
  • Pero ancetariaHubner's Pero
  • Pero morrisonariaMorrison's Pero
  • Phlogophora irisOlive Angle Shades
  • Phlogophora periculosaBrown Angle Shades
  • Phyllodesma americanaLappet Moth, American Lappet Moth, Southern Lappet Moth
  • Plagodis alcoolariaHollow-Spotted Plagodis
  • Plagodis phlogosariaStraight-Lined Plagodis
  • Plagodis pulverariaAmerican Barred Umber, Barred Umber
  • Pococera aplastellaAspen Webworm Moth
  • Polia imbriferaCloudy Arches
  • Polia nimbosaStormy Arches
  • Probole alienariaDogwood Probole, Alien Probole
  • Probole amicariaFriendly Probole
  • Prochoerodes lineolaLarge Maple Spanworm Moth
  • Protitame virginalisVirgin Moth
  • Pseudothyatira cymatophoroidesTufted Thyatirid
  • Pyrrhia ciliscaAmerican Bordered Sallow, Noble Sun Moth
  • Rheumaptera hastataSpear-Marked Black Moth, Spear Mark
  • Rheumaptera subhastataWhite-Banded Black Moth
  • Schizura ipomaeaeMorning-Glory Prominent, Checkered-Fringe Prominent
  • Selenia alcipheariaNorthern Selenia, Northern Thorn
  • Sicya maculariaSharp-Lined Yellow
  • Spilosoma virginicaVirginian Tiger Moth, Yellow Woolybear Moth, Yellow Bear
  • Spiramater lutraDarling Mamestra, Splashed Arches, Otter Spiramater, Otter Arches
  • Sthenopis argenteomaculatusSilver-Spotted Ghost Moth, Alder Ghost Moth
  • Syndemis afflictanaFall Dead-Leaf Roller, Gray Leafroller, Black-and-Grey Banded Leafroller
  • Tacparia detersataPale Alder
  • Tetracis cachexiataWhite Slant-Line
  • Tetracis crocallataYellow Slant-Line
  • Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformisEvergreen Bagworm Moth
  • Tortricidia testaceaEarly Button Slug
  • Venusia cambricaThe Welsh Wave
  • Venusia comptariaBrown-Shaded Carpet
  • Xanthotype urticariaFalse Crocus Geometer
  • Xestia smithiiSmith's Dart
  • Xylena nuperaRed Swordgrass Moth, American Swordgrass Moth, False Armyworm
  • Zale minereaColorful Zale
  • Acleris cervinana
  • Acleris hudsoniana
  • Acleris maccana
  • Acleris placidana
  • Anania extricalis
  • Caloptilia glutinella
  • Coleophora alniella
  • Coleotechnites alnifructella
  • Gretchena watchungana
  • Olethreutes albiciliana
  • Olethreutes brunneopurpurata
  • Olethreutes concinnana
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
5BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Alnus

  • Acanthis flammeaCommon Redpoll
  • Bonasa umbellusRuffed Grouse
  • Lagopus leucuraWhite-tailed Ptarmigan
  • Lagopus mutaRock Ptarmigan
  • Oreortyx pictusMountain Quail
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Betulaceae
Hardiness
Zones 4a–7b
Soil pH
Acidic to neutral
Flower color
Brown/copper or red
Growth rate
Rapid
Growth habit
Several stems
Foliage color
Green
Fruit begins
Summer
Fruit ends
Fall

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Black Alder

Conservation status

Virginia rankNot available
Global rankGNR
VA statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources