Red Alder (Alnus rubra)

Family: Betulaceae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Oval, Pyramidal.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Flowers, Sap/Syrup, Bark/Inner Bark

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

rich in protein but have a bitter flavour and are not very palatable. — Catkins - raw or cooked.; They are rich in protein but have a bitter flavour and are not very palatable.; Inner bark - cooked, It must be dried since it is emetic when fresh.; No more details are given but inner bark is often dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickening in soups etc or mixed with cereals when making bread.

Habitat & North American Range

Moist rich soils in woods, usually below 600 metres and within 50 km of the coast. (Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)