Winged Elm

Also Known As: Wahoo

Scientific Name: Ulmas alata

Trail Location: 15

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Winged Elm - Townsend RIver Walk & Arboretum - Spring 2019

Plant Type:

Deciduous

Family:

Ulmaceae (Elm)

USDA Hardiness Zones:

6, 7, 8, 9

USDA Plant Id:

ULAL

Height:

30 - 60

ft.

Spread:

30 - 40

ft.

Flower:

Minimal

Fall Leaf Color:

Drab yellow-green.

Host Plant for the Following Butterflies

Red Spotted Purple, Painted Lady, Eastern Comma, Mourning Cloak, Question Mark

Missouri Botanical

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Winged Elm is easy to identify by the two cork-like ridges that grow along the branches and twigs. The word "alata" is Latin meaning winged, hence the scientific name. The winged elm that you see in the arboretum was not original to this location but was more than likely a wayward seed being that they are very easy to propagate by seed.

winged elm branch
winged elm leaves
Courtesy of USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 1: 627.
winged elm drawing

Courtesy of USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 1: 627.