Alnus viridis (Chaix) DC.

Shrub 0.75–2 m high, multi-stemmed and tending to layer. Shoots and lvs ± glandular-viscid when young. Winter buds sessile, dark. Petiole 1–2 cm long. Lamina to c. 7 × 6 cm, broadly ovate, broadly elliptic, or suborbicular, hairy beneath on veins, at least when young, irregularly serrate; veins in 5–6 pairs; base broadly cuneate to rounded; apex acute. Buds sessile, enclosing ♀ catkins in winter. ♂ catkins few at shoot apices, 3–6 cm long, pendulous, opening at lf flush; bracts c. 1.5 mm long, broadly ovate or suborbicular, often reddish where exposed. ♀ catkins all pedunculate, to 6 in loose racemes, 7–10 mm long at anthesis, narrow-cylindric, glandular-scaly. Cones 6–10 mm long, broadly ellipsoid when open, with horizontal bracts. Nutlet c. 2 mm long, broadly ellipsoid; wing as wide as nut.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Oct.–Nov.