Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous
Shape
Elliptical to obovate, asymmetric at the base
Margin
Doubly serrate (coarsely and sharply toothed)
Arrangement
Alternate
Venation
Pinnate with straight, parallel veins extending directly to the margin teeth, very prominent on the underside.
Key Features
Extremely rough, sandpaper-like upper leaf surface; distinctly asymmetric leaf base where one side of the blade meets the petiole lower than the other; doubly serrate margins; mucilaginous inner bark.
Description
Ulmus rubra, commonly known as the slippery elm, is a medium-sized deciduous tree prized for its mucilaginous inner bark. It typically grows up to 60-80 feet tall with an open, spreading crown. The bark is dark reddish-brown and deeply fissured. It produces small, wind-pollinated flowers in early spring before the leaves emerge, followed by flat, winged seed pods (samaras) with hairy margins.
Habitat
Rich, moist soils along streams, floodplains, lower slopes, and rich bottomland forests, though it can tolerate drier limestone soils.
Native Range
Native to eastern and central North America, stretching from southern Quebec and Ontario south to northern Florida, and west to the Dakotas and Texas.