Species Profiles Cumulative Quiz 7 View

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slippery elm (Ulmus rubra)
Family: Ulmaceae

 

A table detailing the characteristics of the slippery elm

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Form:

Medium sized, 60 – 70 ft. in height, 18 – 30 in. in dbh.

Leaves:
 Arrangement: alternate; simple

[if 789 not_equals=””]  Shape: elliptical to obovate[/if 100]

 Margin: doubly serrate

 Texture: scabrous above, pubescent below

 Variation: parallel

slippery elm leaves

Bark:

Red brown bark, non-diamond shaped fissures, does not show patches or streaks when sectioned. Mucilaginous inner bark.

Twigs and Buds:

Ash to brown gray in color, scabrous, buds pubescent. Buds are chestnut brown to black in color.

Twig and bud of a slippery elm

Flowers and Fruit:

Flowers appear in short pedicelled fascicles.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Doubly serrated leaf, scabrous leaf and twig, bud more stout that American Elm buds.

Range:

Southern Maine west to Nebraska, south to Louisiana.

Silvics:

Intermediate tolerance. Rich, moist bottomlands, along streams.

Ecological and Cultural Importance:

Not important for lumber, used in manufacture of boxes, baskets and crates. Seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals, twigs are browsed by deer and rabbits.