WATER ELMPLANERA AQUATICA

By: Rachel Finke

Water ElmPlanera Aquatica

The Water Elm is a medium sized, deciduous tree in the southeastern part of the United States. (1) (2)

It grows a small, prickly berry rather than a regular Elm tree that grows dry, winged seeds. (1)

Also known as a Planertree, you can easily tell it apart from other trees by its even base. (2)

The Planertree has a long life span and will reach maximum height at 50 feet after 20 years. (7)

Water Elm Classification (1)

Classification:

Kingdom Plantae Plants

Division Magnoliophyta

Flowering Plant

Class Magnoliopsida

Dicotyledons

Order Urticales

Family Ulmaceae

Genus Planera

Species Planera Aquatica

Water Elm

Water Elm Shape, Form and Type

The Water Elm is a small tree. It has a short trunk with many stems. The tree crowns out for a wider shape near the top. (10) The trees will usually reach a height of 35 feet. (3) But can reach a maximum of 50 feet. (7)

Water Elm Bark

The bark of a Planertree is usually scaly and patchy. The bark is grayish brown on the surface with reddish brown patches. (3)

Figure (2)

Figure(3)

Water Elm Twig

The twig of a Water elm is slender with the same coloring as the bark. They are usually hairy initially but later on become smooth and hairless. (3)

Figure(2)

Water Elm Leaf

The leaves of a Planertree are simple and alternate. The leaf has a margin present and is ovate, or egg-shaped. The leaf is dark green on top with a lighter green underneath. They usually don’t exceed three inches long or 1 inch wide. (3)

Figure(2)

Figure(4)

Water Elm Flower

The flower of a Planertree appears early in the spring with the appearance of the leaves. A flower is usually very small, with a fuzzy stigma. (3) The flowers are monoecious and inconspicuous. (10) Flowers are green in color. (8)

Figure(9)

Water Elm Fruit

The fruit of a Water Elm can be described as a small drupe. They are usually ½ inch long, with warty, irregular projections covering them. (3)

Figure(5)

Water Elm Habitat and Range

You would find a Planertree in a wet habitat. They grow bordering or even in standing water. (10) The Water Elm is located in the southeastern part of the United States, primarily the Coastal Plain of North Carolina and Louisiana. (2)

Figure(6)

Uses of a Water Elm

The Water Elm is commercially unimportant. They are sometimes harvested for pulp, but are also known as a pest in Louisiana. (10)

Text References

1. Water Elm. June 22,2010.http://neohumanism.org/w/wa/water_elm.html

2. Planertree, Water Elm (Planera Aquatica) June 22,2010.http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/trees/plaq.html

3. Virginia Tech. Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation. Water Elm. Ulmaceae Planera aquatica J.F. Gmel. June 22,2010.

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=347

7. GardenGuides.Com. Planertree-Plant Information. Planera aquatica. June 22,2010.http://www.web01.gardenguides.com/plants/plant.asp?symbol=PLAQ

8. GardenGuides.Com. Planertree-Plant Information. Planera aquatica. June 22,2010.http://www.web01.gardenguides.com/plants/plant.asp?symbol=PLAQ#details

10. Planertree. Planera aquatica. June 22,2010. http://www.rnr.lsu.edu/plantid/webtour/species/planertree/planertree.htm

Picture References

9. Water Elm Flower Image. June 22,2010.http://botany.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/dcs420/mi07/mi07013.jpg

4. Water Elm Leaf Image. June 22,2010.http://www.discoverlife.org/nh/tx/Plantae/Dicotyledoneae/Ulmaceae/images/07.Ulmus_leaf_upper.320.jpg

5. Water Elm Fruit Image. June 22,2010.http://www.rnr.lsu.edu/plantid/webtour/species/planertree/images/PLAaq72a_web.jpg

6. Water Elm Habitat Image. June 22,2010.http://www.wildflower.org/image_archive/320x240/SAW/SAW_02785.JPG

2. Planertree, Water Elm (Planera Aquatica) June 22,2010.http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/trees/plaq.html

3. Virginia Tech. Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation. Water Elm. Ulmaceae Planera aquatica J.F. Gmel. June 22,2010.

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=347

1. Water Elm. June 22,2010.http://neohumanism.org/w/wa/water_elm.html