Speckled Alder

Alnus rugosa. Native thicket-forming bush (about 20 feet tall) that is helpful to wildlife and stabilizes the land where it grows. Great for planting along stream edges to prevent erosion.  Prefers sunny, wet areas.

Speckled alder seeds provide food for songbirds and small mammals. Some species of birds known to nest in speckled alder thickets include red-winged blackbirds, alder flycatchers, yellow warblers, Wilson's warblers, swamp sparrows, goldfinches and more. They are also a host plant to several species of native moths and butterflies.