Alnus cordata (Italian Alder)

Alnus cordata (Italian Alder) is a deciduous tree that is native to the Mediterranean region of Europe. It belongs to the Betulaceae family, which also includes other trees such as birch and hazel. 

Italian alders can grow up to 25 meters in height and have a broad, rounded crown. The bark is smooth and greyish-brown in color, with horizontal markings. The leaves are dark green and glossy, with a serrated margin, and are typically around 5-12 centimeters in length. 

The Italian alder is dioecious, which means that it has separate male and female flowers. The male flowers are yellow-brown catkins that appear in late winter or early spring, while the female flowers are small and reddish, appearing in clusters on the same tree. The tree produces small, woody cones that contain the seeds. 

Italian alders are commonly used in landscaping and as ornamental trees because of their attractive foliage and shape. They are also used in soil stabilization and erosion control due to their ability to fix nitrogen in the soil. The wood of the Italian alder is lightweight and not very durable, so it is typically used for paper production and fuel.