Marcus, Joseph A.
Ulmus alata Michx.
Winged elm, Wahoo
Ulmaceae (Elm Family)
Winged elm grows 30-40 ft. high with spreading branches that form a round-topped,
oblong head.
Opposite corky ridges occur on the branches in one plane. Dark-green leaves
alternate, ovate, oblique, doubly
serrate, acuminate, small. Leaves may turn dull yellow in fall.
Fruit a
samara, brown.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the
fibrous inner
bark was made into rope for fastening covers of cotton bales. The common and Latin species names refer to the distinctive broad, corky wings present on some twigs; Wahoo was the Creek Indian name.
Image Gallery:
31 photo(s) available
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Yellow , Green
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MD , MS , MO , NC , OK , SC , TN , TX , VA
Native Distribution: S. VA to s. IL, c. MO & KS, s. to c. FL, OK & s.e TX
Native Habitat: Stream banks; woods; thickets
USDA Native Status: L48(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Variety of soils; best on terraces and bottomlands; may be somewhat weedy; fast growing; medium-lives.
Conditions Comments: Easily propagated from seed. Root Hormone is recomended for cuttings. Sometimes planted as a street
tree in the southern states. Susceptible to Dutch elm disease. Often infected with powdery mildew.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Fast growing, shade
tree, attractive.
Use Wildlife: Cover, Nesting site, Substrate-insectivorous birds, Seeds-granivorous birds, Seeds-Small mammals, Leaves-rabbit, Browse.
Use Medicinal: Indians seeped inner
bark bark for diarrhea and to ease childbirth.
Use Other: Bark fibers woven into baskets and rope.
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Question Mark butterfly.
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Ulmus alata is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Last Update: 2012-10-15
