alder

[A.S. aler, alr; Sw. al; Dan. ell, elletræ; Dut. elzenboom Ger. erle; Fr. IMG:content-0339.png:[graphic] IMG:content-0340.jpg:[graphic] BRANCH OF ALDER (ALNUS GLUTINOSA). aune, taulne; Sp. ali so Ital. aino; Lat. alnus.] Bot. A well-known English tree; the Alnus glutinosa. It grows in wet places. Its wood has the property of remaining under water undecayed for a long time; hence it is often employed for the piles of bridges, millwork, pumps, and sluices. The shoots of the alder, cut off in spring, dye a crimson colour, and the fertile flowers a green one; they are also employed by tanners. The bark is bitter and astringent. It has been used for gargles as well as in ague. [ALNUS.] "And under the alders that skirt its edges." Long fellow: Paul Revere's Ride. alder-branch, s. A branch of alder. "Trailing o'er the alder - branches." Long fellow: Song of Hiawatha, v. alder-buckthorn, s. The English name of the Rhamnus frangula , a small shrub with obovate entire leaves, axillary stalked, minute whitish-green flowers, two or three of them together, and dark purple berries with two seeds. It is found in woods and thickets in England, and flowers in May and June. Its berries are a hydragogue purgative, but are not now officinal. It was formerly called the Berry-bearing Alder. It is still sometimes termed the Black Alder. The Black Alder of America is the Prinos verticil lat us ; the Red Alder of the Cape of Good Hope is Cunonia capensis; and the White Alder of South Africa is Platylophus trifoliatus; while that of North America is Clethra alnifolia . (Treas. of Bot .)