Alnus japonica
| Alnus japonica | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |    |
| Hardiness: | 4 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 72' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Late Winter-Early Spring |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Alnus japonica (common name: japanese alder)
Propagation: Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe and only just covered[1]. Spring sown seed should also germinate successfully so long as it is not covered[1][K]. The seed should germinate in the spring as the weather warms up. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. If growth is sufficient, it is possible to plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer, otherwise keep them in pots outdoors and plant them out in the spring.
If you have sufficient quantity of seed, it can be sown thinly in an outdoor seed bed in the spring[2]. The seedlings can either be planted out into their permanent positions in the autumn/winter, or they can be allowed to grow on in the seed bed for a further season before planting them.
Cuttings of mature wood, taken as soon as the leaves fall in autumn, outdoors in sandy soil.
Cultivation: Prefers a heavy soil and a damp situation, but it succeeds in ordinary garden soil[3]. Grows well in heavy clay soils[3]. Thrives in drier soils than many members of this genus[1]. Tolerates very infertile sites[1].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil micro-organisms, these form nodules on the roots of the plants and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[1].
Range: E. Asia - China, Japan.
Habitat: Wet lowlands all over Japan[4].
Medicinal: Various species of alder, including this species, seem to contain antitumour compounds[5].
Usage: A dye is obtained from the bark[6][7]. No more details are given.
Wood - close grained. Used for turnery, charcoal[6][7].
Pollinators: Wind
Soil: Can grow in medium and heavy soils.
Wind: Tolerates strong winds
Flower Type: Monoecious
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
- ↑ Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.