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Alnus vulgaris

Alnus vulgaris

9.9
A tree with dark bark and leaves that are hairy underneath that grows near rivers
  • noun
  • UK
translation icon : aliso común
  • In wetland restoration projects, Alnus vulgaris is often planted to improve soil quality.

Examples

  • The banks of the river are lined with Alnus vulgaris, providing shade for fish.

  • Botanists studied the leaf structure of Alnus vulgaris in different climates.

  • The Alnus vulgaris tree is commonly found near rivers.

  • In Europe, Alnus vulgaris is often used for timber.

  • In wetland restoration projects, Alnus vulgaris is often planted to improve soil quality.

  • Botanists studied the leaf structure of Alnus vulgaris in different climates.

  • The banks of the river are lined with Alnus vulgaris, providing shade for fish.

Synonyms

common alder
vsAlnus vulgaris
  • UK
5.2

A medium-sized tree that grows near rivers with small woody cones and leaves hairy underneath

is the alternate name for the identical species
European black alder
vsAlnus vulgaris
8.6

A medium-sized tree from Europe that grows near rivers and wetlands with dark bark and rounded leaves

gives a more precise brown-black bark description
Alnus glutinosa
vsAlnus vulgaris
  • Specialized
9.1

A medium-sized tree with dark bark and rounded leaves that grows near rivers and wetlands in Europe and western Asia

focuses on leaf hairs and woody catkins rather than habitat

Surface Forms

Alnus vulgaris singular

Morphology

Alnus + vulgaris

This is a Latin binomial combining the genus name 'Alnus' (alder) with the epithet 'vulgaris' (meaning 'common' or 'widespread'), so the sense 'common alder' is directly derivable from the parts. The genus+epithet pattern is regular and cross-linguistically recognizable, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent meanings can infer it denotes a species of alder.

Etymology

Alnus vulgaris comes from Latin words: Alnus is the Latin word for the 'alder' tree and vulgaris means 'common'. So the name simply calls this tree the 'common alder', a familiar riverbank tree often seen in many parts of Europe.