Siberian elm Ulmus pumila Kingdom: Plantae FEATURES Division: Magnoliophyta Siberian elm is also known as Chinese elm. This Class: Magnoliopsida deciduous shrub or small tree may grow to a height Order: Urticales of 35 feet and a trunk diameter of one foot. Leaves are in an alternate arrangement along the stem. The Family: Ulmaceae simple leaves average about one to three inches in ILLINOIS STATUS length and are single-toothed. A short leafstalk is present at the base of the leaf. The buds are red- common, nonnative brown and blunt. Each spherical, hairy bud is about © Guy Sternberg one-eighth inch in diameter. The bark of this tree is gray or brown with shallow furrows. Thin, smooth twigs may be brown or gray. Flowers are borne in drooping clusters of two to five, appearing before the leaves begin to unfold. These small, green flowers have no petals. The fruit is a samara, a winged seed. The samara is round, smooth and one- seeded. Each samara is about one-half inch in diameter.

BEHAVIORS Siberian elm may be found statewide in Illinois. It grows in waste areas. Flowers are produced in May. Wind is the main agent of pollination and seed dispersal. Its pale, brown wood is hard and heavy. Siberian elm is grown as an ornamental tree and is tree often found around old buildings. Some escapes from these plantings have established themselves in ILLINOIS RANGE the wild. Siberian elm is a native of Asia.

© Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2021. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. tree in winter © Guy Sternberg branches

Aquatic Habitats none

Woodland Habitats none

Prairie and Edge Habitats edge

© Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2021. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources.