Native Plants

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Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Planera aquatica

Planera aquatica J.F. Gmel.

Planer Tree, Water Elm

Ulmaceae (Elm Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: PLAQ

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Planer Tree or Water Elm is a small, deciduous tree, often with sprouts near the base. Its spreading branches form a low, broad crown to 40 ft. in height. Reddish-brown, scaly, flaky bark covers the short trunk. Dull-green leaves are asymmetrically elm-like.

This distinctive and uncommon small tree is the only species of its genus; however, fossil relatives have been found in Eurasia. Dedicated to Johann Jakob Planer (1743-89), German botanist and professor of medicine.

From the Image Gallery

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Nut
Size Notes: Up to about 40 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Fruit: Nut-like.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Green
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , FL , GA , IL , KY , LA , MO , MS , NC , OK , SC , TN , TX
Native Distribution: Coastal Plain from s.e. NC & n. FL to e. TX; n. in Mississippi Valley to s. IL
Native Habitat: Swampy areas; alluvial floodplains; river banks

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Sandy or gravelly, moist, seasonally wet soils.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:	OBL				OBL	OBL		OBL

This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Bibliography

Bibref 298 - Field Guide to Texas Trees (1999) Simpson, B.J.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 57 - Atlas of Florida Plants (2020) Institute for Systematic Botany
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Planera aquatica in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Planera aquatica in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Planera aquatica

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-05-23
Research By: TWC Staff

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