Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

red elm, slippery elm

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Ulmus rubra

Family:

Ulmaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

40-60 ft tall by 30-50 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

NA

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

deciduous

Noted For:

Fall Color, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Medium shade tree for informal settings. Somewhat coarse in texture.

Considerations:

Susceptible the Dutch elm disease.

Availability:

Native Nurseries

Propagation:

Stem-tip cuttings. Seed.

Light:

Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Not wet but not extremely dry

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Clay, Loam

Soil pH:

Adaptable

Suitable to Grow In:

Ecology

Wildlife:

Caterpillars, Birds

Larval host for question mark butterfy ( Polygonia interrogationis ).

Seeds used by songbirds when little else is available. Used for nesting. 

Native Habitats:

Rich mesic to dry mesic forests, wooded bluffs, calcareous soils.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

The edible inner bark is dried and then moistened for use as a cough medicine or as a poultice.

General Comments:

This tree is subject to Dutch elm disease which is not know to occur in Florida as of 2018 (IFAS, 2018).