Mexican alder facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mexican alder |
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Alnus
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| Species: |
jorullensis
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The Mexican alder (scientific name: Alnus jorullensis) is a special kind of tree. It's an evergreen or semi-evergreen alder, which means it keeps its leaves all year or loses them for only a short time. This tree is native to eastern and southern Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.
For a while, people thought this tree also grew in the Andes mountains. But later, scientists found that those trees were actually a similar species called Alnus acuminata, which is common in South America.
Contents
About the Mexican Alder
The Mexican alder is a medium-sized tree. It can grow quite tall, reaching about 20 to 25 meters (that's like a 6 to 8-story building!).
Leaves and Flowers
Its leaves are shaped like an oval or a wide egg, about 5 to 12 centimeters long. They feel a bit leathery and have jagged edges, like a saw. The underside of the leaves has tiny glands.
The tree's flowers are called catkins. They are long, thin clusters of flowers that hang down. The wind carries pollen from one catkin to another, helping the tree make seeds. These flowers appear in early spring.
Where It Grows and Lives
The Mexican alder lives in high-up forests. You can find it in Mexico's Sierra Madre Occidental, Sierra Madre Oriental, and Sierra Madre del Sur mountain ranges. It also grows in the highlands of Honduras.
High Mountain Homes
These trees prefer elevations from 2,800 to 3,800 meters above sea level. That's really high up, where the air is cooler! The Mexican alder is the most common alder tree in Mexico's mountains and grows at the highest elevations.
Some trees in Guatemala that were thought to be Mexican alders might actually be Alnus acuminata. So, it's not completely certain if the Mexican alder grows in Guatemala.
Preferred Places to Grow
Mexican alders love moist soil. They often grow along stream and river banks, in wet areas, and on damp slopes. They can form thick groups of trees in these places.
You might also see them in open forests where oak and pine trees grow, or in fir woodlands.
New Beginnings
This tree is one of the first to grow in areas that have been disturbed. For example, after a landslide, a fire, or when humans clear land for logging or farms, the Mexican alder is often one of the first trees to start growing there again.
In southern Mexico, it thrives in high-elevation tropical mountain forests. These places have cool temperatures and lots of rain, which the Mexican alder loves.
Different Types of Mexican Alder
Scientists recognize two main types, or subspecies, of the Mexican alder:
- Alnus jorullensis subsp. jorullensis: This type is found in Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras.
- Alnus jorullensis subsp. lutea: This type is found only in Mexico.
How People Use It
The Mexican alder is sometimes planted for its beauty in places with warm weather, like southern California. People enjoy its look in gardens and parks.
See also
In Spanish: Alnus jorullensis para niños
