Alnus viridis subsp. fruticosa

Siberian alder, Siberian Alder

Family: Betulaceae · Type: shrub · Native

Siberian alder is a native shrub found in northern California coastal regions along rocky to sandy coasts, streamsides, and damp open areas at elevations below 500 meters. Flowering in spring, this plant produces small, clustered flowers in delicate catkins. Growing to less than 3 meters tall, it forms dense, multi-stemmed thickets with spreading branches. Its leaves are broad and ovate with rounded to heart-shaped bases, featuring densely serrated edges and a glossy dark green surface that stands out in coastal landscapes. The shrub's distinctive foliage is particularly characterized by its firm leaf texture and moderately resinous undersides.

Habitat: Rocky to sandy coasts, streamsides, damp open areas

Bloom period: Spring

Elevation: < 500 m

Bioregions: NCo

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.