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Unknown
Ulmus rubra Muhl.
Red elm, Slippery elm
Synonyms: Ulmus fulva
USDA Symbol: ULRU
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
A 40-60 ft. tree with a somewhat vase-shaped outline. Branchlets are less pendulous than U. americana. Dark green, rough leaves with fuzzy undersides. Tree with broad, open, flat-topped crown of spreading branches and large rough leaves.
The thick, slightly fragrant, edible, gluelike inner bark is dried and afterwards moistened for use as a cough medicine or as a poultice. This slippery inner bark (found by chewing through the outer bark of a twig) is helpful in identification. The Latin species name refers to the large brown buds covered with rust-colored hairs.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Tree Size Class: 36-72 ft.
Fruit Type: Samara Leaf Color: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit Color: Green
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Red , Yellow , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Jan , Dec
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NH , NJ , NY , NC , ND , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VT , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: ON ,
QC Native Distribution: S.w. ME through extreme s. Que. & Ont., to s.e. ND, s. to n.w. FL, GA & c. TX
Native Habitat: Rich bottomlands; stream banks; idle ground
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Alkaline (pH>7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Moist, rich to dry, limestone soils.
Conditions Comments: Susceptible to Dutch elm disease. Considered weedy as it tends to infest hedges, fence rows and other idle gournd.
Benefit
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Mourning Cloak, Columbia silkmoth
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Ulmus rubra is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Metadata
Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff
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