September Elm
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| iSeptember Elm | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
| Ulmus serotina Sarg. |
September Elm or 'Red Elm' Ulmus serotina is an American species uncommon beyond Tennessee; only very locally distributed through Illinois, Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Alabama and Georgia, growing predominantly on limestone bluffs and along streams. Rarely exceeding 20 m in height, it has a rounded crown with spreading to pendulous branches. The glabrous young shoots become progressively corky-winged with age, and bear oblong to obovate leaves < 8 cm long. The flowers form pendulous racemes that open in September and serve to distinguish the species from its compatriot, the Cedar Elm U. crassifolia, with which it readily hybridizes. The samarae are oblong - elliptical, deeply divided at the apex, and ripen in November.
The species is highly susceptible to Dutch elm disease and now rarely cultivated, although it once enjoyed some popularity as a shade-tree in the southern part of its range. Only one specimen is known in cultivation in Europe, at the University of Copenhagen Botanic Garden.
[edit] References
- Bean, W. J. (1981). Trees and shrubs hardy in Great Britain, 7th edition. Murray, London.
- Flora of North America: Ulmus serotina
- USDA Plant Guide: Ulmus serotina
