Ulmus pumila L.
Siberian elm
Ulmaceae (Elm family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Bryan Kelly-McArthur     (Photo ID #70713)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Ulmus pumila
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

Introduction

The Siberian Elm is an introduced deciduous shrubby tree species found in BC in the south Okanagan. Lomer (pers. comm. 2019) says "Siberian elm is a weedy tree throughout the Okanagan so the dots on the map are far short of the actual range in BC."

Species Information

General:
Deciduous shrubby tree; branches spreading, twigs hairless, up to 12 m tall.
Leaves:
Alternate, simple, elliptic to oblanceolate, smooth except hairy on the veins below, margins toothed, dark green, 3-9 cm long, with stipules.
Flowers:
Inflorescence of axillary racemes with flowers appearing before leaves in spring; corollas lacking; calyces bell-shaped, short-lobed, the lobes unequal.
Fruits:
Samaras, 10-15 mm long, 10-12 mm wide, winged, the wings translucent.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

USDA Species Characteristics

Flower Colour:
Green
Blooming Period:
Mid Spring
Fruit/Seed characteristics:
Colour: Brown
Present over the Spring
Source:  The USDA

Habitat and Range

Moist to dry streambanks, lakesides and waste places in the steppe zone; infrequent in SC BC, known only from Osoyoos; introduced from Asia.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia