Despite a common name, not an
alder genus Alnus
Part of
holly genus Ilex,
the only living genus in
family Aquifoliaceae.
Native to 🇨🇦 Canada and 🇺🇸 USA, east of the 🗻︎ Rocky Mountains.
🌎︎ Map by county
🌎︎ map. 
Uses by native peoples
(Ethnobotany database)
Ilex hosts caterpillars of 35 species
of butterflies and moths, in some areas.
Use in a small water feature or back patio garden, bloom dates, height, light, moisture, etc. (Pennsylvania). (pages 13, 30, 32 and 46)