Ulmus rubra

Ulmus rubra, also known as the slippery elm, is a species of elm native to eastern North America. It is named for its mucilaginous inner bark. Both the sapwood and inner bark of the slippery elm can be used for medicinal purposes.

Description

The Ulmus rubra is a medium-sized tree that typically grows to a height of 12–19 m (39–62 ft). The tree's bark is dark brown, and the branchlets are finely hairy. The leaves are 10–18 cm (4–7 in) long, rough-textured, oblique at the base, and coarsely toothed. The flowers are produced before the leaves in early spring, usually in clusters of 10–20. The fruit is an oval winged samara 20 mm long and containing a single, central seed.

Distribution and habitat

The Ulmus rubra is found in the eastern United States and Canada, from southeast North Dakota, east to Maine and southern Quebec, south to northernmost Florida, and west to eastern Texas. It is also found in the Appalachian Mountains as far south as northernmost Georgia and Alabama.

Uses

The inner bark of the Ulmus rubra has been used for medicinal purposes by Native Americans for centuries. It is often ground into a powder and used as a poultice for wounds, burns, boils, ulcers, and other skin conditions. The inner bark can also be steeped in water to make a tea for treating coughs and gastrointestinal conditions.

Conservation status

The Ulmus rubra is not currently considered to be at risk of extinction, but like many elm species, it is susceptible to Dutch elm disease.

See also

• Elm
• Dutch elm disease
• Medicinal plants

External links

• USDA Forest Service: Ulmus rubra
• Missouri Botanical Garden: Ulmus rubra