Species library · Plants & herbs

Foraging Grey Alder

Alnus incana

Typically in season from January to December in the northern hemisphere. Found in Waterside, Wetland. Has toxic lookalikes, so check carefully.

Grey Alder (Alnus incana)

Photo: Vassil, no known copyright restrictions (public domain) · iNaturalist

When Grey Alder is in season

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset, and your own timing depends on local weather, so check your town.

→ Everything in season to forage in September

Where it grows

Grey Alder is usually found in Waterside, Wetland.

⚠ Look-alikes & safety

Toxic look-alikes: Alder buckthorn, Black alder, Green alder. Only forage with a confident ID.

Take Grey Alder into the field

Open Grey Alder in the Forage app for its full field guide entry with more photos, key features and toxic lookalikes to check against. Add it to your watchlist and the app pings you the moment it comes into season at your exact spot, worked out from live weather, elevation and billions of occurrence records.

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Grey Alder: common questions

When is Grey Alder in season?

Grey Alder is generally in season from January to December in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather. Check the Season Finder for your own location.

Where does Grey Alder grow?

Grey Alder is usually found in Waterside, Wetland.

Is Grey Alder safe to forage?

Toxic look-alikes: Alder buckthorn, Black alder, Green alder. Only forage with a confident ID. Never eat any wild plant, berry, nut or mushroom unless you are completely certain of the identification. Check every find against a reliable field guide, and when in doubt, don't.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits