SlipperyElm
OtherCommonNames:RedElm
ScientificName: Ulmus Rubra
ConservationStatus:Inthemostrecentconductionin2018, The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species listedthe Ulmus Rubra (SlipperyElm)atthestateofleastconcern,respectively.
Photos:
IdentifiableCharacteristics:
● Roughleaves
● Fruitsarefuzzyspheres
A blooming Slippery Elm Branch
● Barkhassapunderneaththatemitssmell
● PointyTiponLeaves
EcologicalImportance:TheSlipperyElmisafoodsourceformedium-sizedanimalswhofeed onitsseeds.ItalsoshelterstheseanimalsastheSlipperElm’ssizeandstaturecanprotect/shield speciesduringweatherevents.Certainbirdsalsotendtonestinsidetheirtrunks.Thesebenefits arefelttoalesserdegreehowever,asalltypesofElmtreesarespecificallyaffectedbyafungal illnesscalledtheDutchElmDisease.ThisdevastatinginfectionkilledalmostalltheElmsin Ontarioduringthelate20thcenturyandeventhoughtheSlipperyElmisaffectedtoalesser degree,stillpreventsthespeciesfromgrowingintoforests.
The Slippery sap underneath the bark