Narrative

Elm Family (Ulmaceae) consists of fifteen genera including Ulmus, Celtis, Planera, and Trema which are indigenous to North America. There are over 150 species of trees and shrubs found in this family. Members of this family possess simple, alternate leaves. Although worldwide in distribution, they are mainly found in the tropics and subtropics.

Elms have distinctive flat fruits called samaras. The leaves are deciduous, pinnately veined and have short stems with double toothed margins. These leaves are generally rough-textured and lopsided at their base. The flowers of some species develop in spring before the leaves; others flower in autumn.

The family is not of major economic importance being used to some extent in furniture and cabinet making, medicine, and as ornamentals. The seeds of some species of Celtis are edible.

Taxonomy

References