Leaf
Mathieu MENAND, Tela Botanica · CC BY-SA 2.0
European white elm
Ulmus laevis Pall.
Also known as: Fluttering elm, Spreading elm
Family: Ulmaceae
20 to 30 m tall
Riverbanks and alluvial forests
Flowering: March, before the leaves
Part shade
Full sun
-35°C
❓ How do you recognise this plant?
Its samaras are fringed with long cilia — a feature that sets it clearly apart from field elm. Field elm has smooth samaras, without cilia on the margin, whereas European white elm has samaras fringed with long cilia.
🍃 Leaves
Ovate, toothed, base very asymmetrical, long-petioled
🌸 Flowers
Small hanging clusters on long pedicels
🍎 Fruits
Samaras fringed with cilia, unlike other elms
🪵 Bark
Grey, smooth for a long time then fissured
🗺️ Distribution
Central and eastern Europe; present in France mainly in alluvial valleys, less affected by Dutch elm disease than other elms
🐝 Value for pollinators
Very early flowering, pollen appreciated by bees in late winter
✂️ Horticultural uses
Planted on riverbanks and for riparian woodland restoration, more resistant to Dutch elm disease
⚠️ Possible toxicity
No known toxicity
⚠️ Look-alike species
European white elm
Ulmus laevis
Field elm
Ulmus minor
Field elm has smooth samaras, without cilia on the margin, whereas European white elm has samaras fringed with long cilia.
🌿 Other Ulmaceae to discover
ℹ️ Educational profile — do not use it to judge whether a plant is edible or safe.
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