Alnus glutinosa takes its name from the young growth which is sticky or "glutinous". The leaves are simple, alternate and doubly-toothed. The individual flowers are small and inconspicuous individually, but they are aggregated in conspicuous elongate male aments ("catkins") present on mature individuals from late summer until flowering time the next spring.

Alnus glutinosa is native to Europe. It is planted as a decorative yard tree in Wisconsin and rarely escapes.