Elm
Ulmus spp.
Ulmaceae (Elm family)
Description
Four species of native elms are listed in Texas: winged, American, cedar and slippery elm. Depending on age and other conditions, elms can be small, shrubby trees or large trees reaching up to 90 feet tall. The bark usually has deep, vertical furrows.
The leaves grow on short petioles (leaf stalks). Along the margins, the leaves are heavily veined and sharply toothed; at the base they are unevenly shaped. The flowers are small and generally not noticeable. The seeds have wings for wind dispersal.
The leaves offer fair forage value for whitetail deer and goats.
Habitat
Elms grow in high-moisture areas along creeks and streams and around ponds. Some species are found in drier areas such as fence lines and abandoned fields in East Texas. They grow in most soil types but prefer neutral to acidic sands and sandy loams. Elms are commonly found growing with hackberry.
Images
Plant Characteristics
Flower Color: Red
Seed Type: Fruit/Berry
Duration: Perennial
Stem Texture: Hairless/Smooth
Growth Habit: Shrub (Woody)
Leaf Shape
: Simple with Pinnate or Parallel Venation
Season: Warm
Distribution
: 01 - Pineywoods, 02 - Gulf Prairies and Marshes, 03 - Post Oak Savannah, 04 - Blackland Prairies, 05 - Cross Timbers and Prairies, 06 - South Texas Plains, 07 - Edwards Plateau, 08 - Rolling Plains, 10 - Trans-Pecos
Distributions
Distribution refers to the ecological region in Texas that a plant has been found. You can also view a clickable map.
Book: Brush and Weeds of Texas Rangelands (B-6208)
Collection: Brush and Weeds
