Question: The brown structures that look like open pine cones puzzled me at first, but they must be an unfamiliar-to-me form …
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Question
The brown structures that look like open pine cones puzzled me at first, but they must be an unfamiliar-to-me form of the galls made by Rabdophaga gall midges on Salix. I don't remember seeing flowers on this tree over the course of a year. Perhaps they are inconspicuous. Lincoln, Massachusetts May 6, 2020 in wet ground next to pond.
Answer
Dear jfc, you have photographed a species of Alnus (alder). The structures you spoke about are the carpellate aments (fruit-bearing catkins), which have woody scales in this genus, overall resembling a seed cone. I can't tell you which species of Alnus you have photographed without additional images, but hopefully knowing the genus will be useful.
