Scientific Family
Ulmaceae
Synonyms
Ulmus pinnato-ramosa
Other common names
Asiatic elm
dwarf elm
hybird elm
Chinese elm
Plant type
Trees
Riparian
Yes
Plant Description
Origin
Introduced
An introduced fast growing tree up to 60 feet. The crown is open and rounded with slender, spreading, brittle branches and many dead branches. Trunk short and thick, soon dividing into several large, wide-spreading limbs. Prolific seed producer.
Crown open. Leaves alternate, simple, narrowly elliptic, tapering to a point, dark green above; flowers drooping, crowded clusters appearing before leaves; fruits single-seeded, round, winged.
Height
60 feet
Width
40 feet
Habitat
Habitat description
Cultivated; escaped and established along roadsides, hedgerows, along streams and disturbed habitats.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Interior Chaparral
Grasslands
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
0
High elevation
7500
Leaves
Leaf color
Dark green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Toothed
Leaf hairs
Bottom of leaves
Spines
No
Leaf Drop
Deciduous
Elliptical, slightly thickened, blunt-based and saw-toothed margins with many side veins. 1 to 2-1/2 inches long. Dark green and smooth above, paler and hairy below.
Flowers
Flower color
Greenish
Flower shape
Inconspicuous
Tubular
No
First bloom month
March
Last bloom month
April
Stamens and pistils in separate flower, no petals, to 1/8 inch wide, pale green clusters appear in early spring before leaves develop. Clusters of 6 to 15 greenish flowers.
Flower clusters
Rounded
Fruit
Fruit color
Pale green to light brown
Fruit type
Winged
Thin, flat, wafer-like fruits (samara). Roundish, with notch at top. 1/2 inch in diameter. Initially pale green but later turning light brown when ripe in the spring.