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While alder is in the same plant family as birch, (Betulaceae), they are not of the same genus. As far as I know, there is no other meaning for alder than that of the tree. (Alnus is the Latin genus.) There is a tree called White Alder (Aluns rhombifolia) which may be where someone falsely derived the meaning "white".

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It is a plant of magical significance in the Celtic traditions if that is of any interest.