210 Oak ( Cupuliferce ) 



Fig. 98. Smooth Alder. A. serulata, Willd. 



Flowers, appearing before the leaves ; the staminate 

 clusters two to three inches in length, forming droop- 

 ing tassels of purple and gold, three to five together 

 on short terminal foot-stalks ; the fertile clusters 

 usually from the same point, erect, three or four 

 together, one quarter to one third of an inch long, 

 but later enlarging to one third to one half inch long, 

 and becoming hard and cone-like. March, April. 



Leaves, two to four inches long, often crumpled between 

 the prominent veins, oval to reverse egg-shape. 

 Base, acute or rounded, green above and below, 

 sharp-toothed, sometimes double-toothed, mostly 

 smooth, usually slightly downy on the veins beneath. 



Fruit, wingless, egg-shape. September. 



Found, common in wet land from Massachusetts west- 

 ward and southward. 



A shrub six to fifteen feet high, often forming thick 

 clumps, the common alder southward. The wood, when 

 large enough, is excellent for fuel. The charcoal from it 

 is preferred to any other in compounding gunpowder. 



Speckled Alder. Hoary Alder. A. incana, Willd. 



Flowers, with much the same aspect as those of the 

 smooth alder. 



Leaves, two to four inches long, egg-shape to broad oval. 

 Base, rounded or slightly heart-shaped, or sometimes 

 pointed, mostly downy and hairy beneath, sharp- 

 toothed, sometimes double-toothed. 



