Alnus cordata / Ontano cordato

Origin: Southern Italy, Corsica.

Botanical characteristics: it is a medium size fast-growing tree, about 15 mt high and with conical crown. Leaves are shiny green, oval with serrated margin. On the lower face there are yellowish tufts hair at the junction of secondary veins. It is a monoecious plant, with separated male and female flowers on the same plant. Infructescenses consist of 1-3 woody ovoid 2.5 cm long catkins, which persist on the plant all winter long. The bark is grey, smooth, with lenticels and short vertical slits.

Agronomic and environmental characteristics: It is a rustic plant, it grows well in all kinds of soils also in calcareous ones. It is the species of Alnus which is less demanding of moist soil. It can grow in poor and dry soils. It has an high resistance to pollution.

Use: It is used in reforestations of hilly, both humid and dry uncultivated areas, in the river banks and as an ornamental plant in avenues as well.