Evergreen tree to 15 m or more tall. Leaves relatively narrow, lanceolate to more or less elliptic, 6-9 cm long with a short tip, margins almost toothless to double toothed, veins in mostly 7-9(-12) pairs. Leaf stalk about 0.5 cm long. Catkins in late winter to early spring. Fruits narrow, erect, in groups of 1-5.

Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina

Widely grown in larger parks and gardens. [A. jorullensis Humb., Bonpl. & Kunth misapplied]

Furlow (1979) draws attention to the taxonomic history of A. acuminata and A. jorullensis, pointing out that the leaves of A. acuminata are broadly ovate and acuminate tipped while those of A. jorullensis are more elliptical or obovate with rounded or acute tips, and the lower leaf surface has a few glands. A. acuminata subsp. glabrata has internodes, leaf stalks and lower leaf surfaces hairless. Trees in the Australian nursery industry have always been known incorrectly by the name A. jorullensis.

NSW: Sydney (Central Plaza, Elizabeth St). VIC: Geelong (Geelong Botanic Gardens, a large tree 60-70 years old, 20 m tall in 1989); Hawthorn (Central Gardens, 3 trees). TAS: Launceston (City Park, planted 1969 by Governor Sir Cedric Bastyan).

 

A. rhombifolia Nutt., White Alder, from W North America is almost evergreen and rather similar but the leaves are downy all over at first and permanently downy at first; it is grown in Canberra at, for example, the Country Comfort Inn, Northbourne Ave.

Source: Spencer, R. (1997). Betulaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 2. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 1. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.