A Eurasian species, escaped along banks of rivers and lakes especially in the southeastern Lower Peninsula, where first collected in 1913 in both Washtenaw and Wayne Cos. Locally forming dense stands and becoming invasive. Planted as far north as Baraga Co., so potentially able to spread throughout the State.

Resembles A. incana in early flowering and nuts wingless or nearly so, but the young parts are very glutinous; the leaves are quite distinctive with their blunt apex. This is a much larger species than our two native Alnus, typically a true tree with a single trunk.