Speckled Alder (Alnus incana subsp. rugosa)
Speckled Alder supports a lot of wildlife! It is the host plant to the Green Comma, Mourning Cloak, Red-Spotted Purple, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Luna Moth, and 262 other species of butterflies in our area (nwf.org). The fruiting cones resemble small pine cones and are very attractive to a number of birds. It is also beneficial for the threatened Canadian giant moth (mnfi.anr.msu.edu/). Speckled Alder spreads by rhizomes and can form thickets if the conditions are right, so be mindful of planting, especially in open fens and bogs.
Life Cycle: Perennial
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial
Soil Moisture: Wet, Medium-wet
Height: Up to 30 feet
Plant Spacing: 12-15 feet
Bloom Time: April-May
Bloom Color: Red, Brown
Advantages: Bird Favorite, Caterpillar Favorite
Host: Green Comma, Mourning Cloak, Red-Spotted Purple, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Luna Moth, and 262 other species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host plant in our area (nwf.org)
Beneficial for Endangered or Threatened Species: Canadian Giant Moth (Andropolia contacta) (mnfi.anr.msu.edu/)
