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Siberian Elm

Scientific Name:

Ulmus pumila

Type:

Tree

Habitat:

Forests, deserts, and a variety of human-made areas

Range:

Native to East and Central Asia; cultivated or invasive worldwide

Status:

Least Concern (IUCN Red List)

This species is

INVASIVE

to the Truckee Meadows.

Identification:

Siberian elms are deciduous trees that usually grow between 50 and 70 feet tall. Their oblong leaves are between 1 and 3 inches long and they have green flowers and light gray-brown bark. The fruit of Siberian elms ripen in April and May.

Fast Facts:

  • Siberian elms are native to eastern and central Asia. In the United States, Siberian elms are an invasive species which can tolerate poor soil conditions, drought, extreme cold, and high salinity.

  • These trees have high germination rates and grow rapidly. They are resistant to Dutch elm disease and are known to crossbreed with native slippery elms. For these reasons, it is illegal to plant in the city of Reno.

  • Siberian elm trees have many edible parts. Their unripened seeds are edible and their inner bark can be dried and ground to a powder to thicken soup. Beyond that, both sauce and wine have been made out of their immature fruit.

Sources:

Contributor(s):

Bridget Mulkerin (research & content)

Alex Shahbazi (edits & page design)

Last Updated:

May 12, 2021 at 10:45:03 PM

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