Alnus glutinosa, the black alder, European alder or common alder, a tree species native to most of Europe
One species, Alnus glutinosa, is also found in Africa and another, the Andean alder, Alnus acuminata, extends down the mountainous spine of Central and South America as far as Argentina.
Alnus glutinosa | Alnus viridis | Alnus acuminata | Alnus incana | Salvia glutinosa | Aristeguietia glutinosa | Arctostaphylos glutinosa | Alnus rubra |
Reeds, sedges, peat moss wetlands, black alder thickets, rivers which bend freely back and forth, groups of lakes and marshes, and other wet ecosystems comprise a varied environment.
The nocturnal larvae are polyphagous, feeding on the leaves of a variety of woody and herbaceous plants, mainly Sorbus, Quercus robur, Salix, Corylus avellana, Stellaria, Filipendula ulmaria, Alnus glutinosa, Rubus and Populus.
A forest of S. atrocinerea occupies the eastern end of Cortegada Island in permanently or temporarily waterlogged soils, and a mixed forest with Alnus glutinosa occupies the end west side.
Forests and smaller wooded areas within the park are comprised mainly by cork oaks (Quercus suber), Portuguese oaks (Quercus faginea), Pyrenean oaks (Quercus pyrenaica), olive trees (Olea europaea), alders (Alnus glutinosa and Alnus incana incana), holly trees (Ilex aquifolium), bay laurels (Laurus nobilis), rhododendrons (Rhododendron ponticum), ferns, mosses, and lichens.