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Cedar elm (Ulmus crassifiolia Nutt) is common in bottomlands but can also be found in uplands. It can be a prairie invader when there are not prairie fires to eliminate brush build-up. The genus name, Ulmus, is the classical Latin name for elm and the species name means thick leaved. It has relatively small, simple, alternate leaves with asymmetrical bases and rounded to slightly acute tips (See left photograph above). Its fruits are winged with the seed in the center r and f (See right photograph above). Winged fruits are called samaras and this one allows for floating in water. The flowers are small and have no petals and quickly become samaras in the fall. It is the only native, fall flowering elm in Texas. Shrub nesting birds often build nests in the branches of young elms. The samaras are eaten by birds and small mammals. Therefore it is an important part of the ecosystem providing nesting sites and fruit.

Sources: Diggs, G. M., B. L. Lipscomb, and R. J. O’Kennon. 1999. Shinners & Mahler’s

Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas. Botanical Research Institute of Texas. Fort Worth, Texas.

Wrede, J. 2010. Trees, Shrubs, and Vines of the Texas Hill Country. Texas A&M University Press. College Station, Texas.

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