Natural History

Slippery Elm

Classification:
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Family: Ulmaceae (elm family)
Genus species: Ulmus rubra Muhl.

Leaves:
Base of leaf is asymmetrical
Edge of leaf is coarsely double-toothed
Leaves are usually rough on upper side, like sandpaper
Elliptical in shape
Often creased along midrib
4 to 8 inches long, 2 to 3 inches wide

Bark:
Reddish-brown, deeply furrowed into broad, forking, scaly ridges

Flowers:
In clusters of 10 to 20, appear beforeo leaves in spring
Flowers are short-stalked

Fruits:
About 3/4 inch across, elliptical, flat
Oval-winged samara, contains single seed in center.
Seed surrounded by thin smooth papery wing

Twigs:
Gray, rough, moderately stout
Flower buds often orange-tipped

Habitat:
Rich well-drained limestone soils

Range:
Central and eastern United States

Common Uses and Interesting Facts:

Inner bark, used by pioneers, is aromatic and can be chewed for thirst; useful as poultice for sore throats and fever.

Fibers of inner bark can be used for rope or laces. Also useful for bow strings, clothing, woven mats.

Common name, "slippery elm", comes from its slimy inner bark.

Less susceptible to Dutch elm disease than other elms.

Heartwood is reddish-brown; tree is also known as Red Elm, hence its scientific name, Ulmus rubra

Sources:

photo credits: Vanessa Artman; www.appalachianforest.org/ptw_slippery_elm.html

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2005. Plant Profile for slippery elm. http://plants.usda.gov

Evans, E. 2003. North Carolina State University Plant Fact Sheet. www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/trees-new/ulmus_rubra.html

Harlow, W.M. 1942. Trees of the eastern and central United States and Canada. Dover Publications.

Petrides, G. A. 1972. A field guide to trees and shrubs. Peterson Field Guide Series. Houghton Mifflin Company.

Virginia Tech Forestry Department Dendrology Pages. 2004.
www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/urubra.htm

www.wikipedia.org