Italian alder
Alnus cordata (Loisel.) Duby
Italian alder carries two easily recognised shapes: broad leaves with often heart-shaped bases, and small woody fruiting structures that resemble cones. The leaves are glossy above, paler below and sharply toothed around the margin. They sit along the twigs of a deciduous tree whose crown is generally oval to conical. Oregon State University Landscape Plants: Alnus cordata
Botanical name
Alnus cordata (Loisel.) Duby is accepted in the cited taxonomic treatment. The supplied database name identifies the same species. Kew Plants of the World Online: Alnus cordata
Recognizing the plant
Oregon State University describes a typical height of nine to fifteen metres, with larger trees possible. The glossy brown bark and angled young shoots provide useful characters beyond the leaves. Male flowers hang in slender catkins about five to eight centimetres long at pollination, clustered near twig tips. Female catkins are upright and compact, becoming egg-shaped woody fruiting structures roughly two and a half to three centimetres long. Leaf stalks measure about two to three centimetres. Oregon State University Landscape Plants: Alnus cordata
Bloom window
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Chicago Botanic Garden records flowering in March and April in its horticultural account. Chicago Botanic Garden: Italian alder
Native range
Alnus cordata is native to southern Italy and northeastern Corsica. Kew distinguishes that restricted Mediterranean homeland from introduced occurrences farther afield. Kew Plants of the World Online: Alnus cordata
A growing note
The Oregon State account records tolerance of dry, infertile and alkaline ground, as well as growth near water. Oregon State University Landscape Plants: Alnus cordata
Botanical sources
- Oregon State University Landscape Plants: Alnus cordata
- Kew Plants of the World Online: Alnus cordata
- Chicago Botanic Garden: Italian alder
Reviewed 2026-10-11. Seasonal development varies with location and growing conditions.