American Elm (White Elm, Water Elm)
Ulmus americana · Ulmaceae (Elm family)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrect
Leaf Morphology
Leaf Type
Simple, deciduous leaf
Shape
Oblanceolate to elliptic with an asymmetric (unequal) leaf base
Margin
Doubly serrate (coarsely toothed with smaller teeth on the primary teeth)
Arrangement
Alternate
Venation
Pinnate with straight, parallel secondary veins running directly from the midrib to the margin teeth without branching.
Key Features
Distinctively asymmetric leaf base where one side of the blade attaches lower on the petiole than the other, coupled with doubly serrate margins and straight parallel veins.
Description
A classic deciduous tree known for its grand, vase-shaped canopy and arching branches. The bark is dark gray and deeply furrowed with interlaced diamond-shaped ridges. Flowers appear in early spring before the leaves, followed by papery, flat, winged samaras.
Habitat
Typically found in rich bottomland forests, along floodplains, streams, and moist uplands, preferring deep, fertile, moist soils.
Native Range
Native to eastern North America, stretching from Nova Scotia west to Alberta, and south to Florida and central Texas.