WESTERN GREEN ALDER 
Alnus sinuata (Regel) Rydberg 
Thickets of green alder ate the bane of the mountaineer, for their 
hatd, gnarled stems interlace to form an impenetrable tangle. On 
mountain sides, where, in early spring, snow slides have plunged down 
the steep slopes, weighing the aldets to the ground, it is almost im- 
possible to climb up against them. The rich green of their foliage 
combines well with their surroundings. The plant is especially inter- 
esting towatds autumn, when a single branch may carty the remains 
of last year’s fruits as well as this year’s, and in addition the catkins 
teady for next year’s early display of flowets. 
Western green alder belongs to the Birch Family, which contains 
some of the hardiest shrubs and trees. This species is found from W yo- 
ming to California and northward to Alaska, and is especially abun- 
dant in the Selkirk Mountains. 
The specimen sketched was gathered at Glacier, British Columbia, 
Canada, at an altitude of 3,500 feet. 
PLATE 186 
