Ulmus rubraIndiana Native
Slippery Elm

Previously known as:  Ulmus fulva
 Family:
 Genus:
 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flower Notes:
Green (Small, red-green flowers in the spring before emerging foliage; not ornamentally important)
 Foliage Notes:
Red (New leaves in the spring have a reddish-bronze cast); Green (Dark green summer foliage); Yellow (Dull yellow fall color; not ornamentally important)
 Stem Notes:
Red/Brown (smooth, glabrous); Gray (rough, pubescent)
 Fruit Notes:
Red (Wafer-like samara with reddish-brown hairs in the center; not ornamentally important)
 Ultimate Height:
40-60 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
30-50 feet
 Bloom Times:
 Light Requirements:
 Soil Water Requirements:
 Soil Notes:
Prefers moist, rich, loams, but will tolerate both wet and dry soils
 Range:
Quebec, Ontario, and central and eastern United States
 Maintenance:
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Leaves (4-8" long by 2-4" wide) are alternate, simple, very oblique, and acuminate with doubly serrated margins. The upper surface is very scabrous (rough) and the lower surface is covered in a dense pubescence. Downy twigs (unlike Ulmus americana) with many raised lenticels. Buds are covered in a red pubescence (U. amerianca buds are generally glabrous and glossy).
 Ecological Functions:
  Special Characteristics:
  • Drought Tolerant 275
  • Pollution Tolerant 217
  • Tolerant of Poor Site Conditions 186
  • Wet Soil Tolerant 102
  • Indiana Native 152
  • Notable Texture 277

    • Additional Information

    The Slippery Elm has a vase-shaped form, similar to that of the American Elm (Ulmus americana), but with more ascending branchlets. This tree gained its common name from the moist, slippery, red inner bark chewed by Native Americans and pioneers to quench thirst. Not considered very ornamental for the landscape, due to its coarse texture, weedy tendencies, and susceptibility to Dutch Elm Disease (although not as severe as the American Elm).

    20 Ulmus rubra found

    Building Map...

    = Heritage plant = Memorial plant
    Number Accession ID Location
    12009_13084*AHORTPARK
    22013_01025*AHORTPARK
    32013_00201*AHORTPARK
    42013_00642*AHORTPARK
    52009_13083*AHORTPARK
    62013_00207*AHORTPARK
    72013_00205*AHORTPARK
    82013_01045*AHORTPARK
    92013_00203*AHORTPARK
    102013_00128*AHORTPARK
    112013_00206*AHORTPARK
    122013_00323*AHORTPARK
    132013_01058*AHORTPARK
    142013_00395*AHORTPARK
    152013_00208*AHORTPARK
    162013_00204*AHORTPARK
    172013_00343*AHORTPARK
    182013_01065*AHORTPARK
    192013_00202*AHORTPARK
    202013_01037*AHORTPARK

    Other plants like this Ulmus rubra (Slippery Elm)

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