Of the numerous elm species, three are native to Europe, including the field elm. In addition to the typical characteristics of this deciduous genus, the variety has some very special properties, which the following article will inform you about. Thanks to the clear plant portrait, it will no longer be difficult for you to distinguish a field elm from its fellows in the future.
The field elm is severely affected by Dutch elm disease
General
- German name: field elm
- other names: Iper, Rot-Rüster
- Latin name: Ulmus minor
- Age: up to 400 years
- bastaded with the mountain elm
Happen
distribution
- in many parts of Europe
- Canary Islands
- Caucasus
- Asia Minor
- North Africa
- especially in the river and stream valleys in the hardwood floodplain
- both in the lowlands and at high altitudes
- the most susceptible elm species to Dutch elm disease
- up to altitudes of 500 m
location preferences
- nutrient-rich soils
- calcareous soils
- Loam and clay soils
- Use: avenue or park tree
- grows in mixed deciduous forests
habit
- maximum height: up to 40 m
- deciduous
- also occurs as a multi-stemmed shrub
blossom
- Color of the flowers: red
- Shape of the flowers: umbels
- hermaphrodite, but predominantly male
- Flowering time: March to April
- Flower length: 15-30 cm
- appear before the leaves emerge
- 3-7 stamens
- stalked
- pollination by the wind
- red-brown anthers
leaves
- tapering, elliptically round
- rough surface
- asymmetrical
- Length of the flowers: 6-10 cm
- Width of the flowers: 8 cm
- Petiole length: 1 cm
- Color of leaf top: dark green
- Color of leaf underside: brownish tufts of hair
- Autumn colour: yellow
- alternating arrangement
- single or double sawn
bark
- Color of the bark: gray brown
- forms scales
- Cork strips on the branches
- cracked with age
- young shoots have red glands and hairs
root
- stake heart root
- very profound
fruit
- Color of fruits: gray brown
- Type of fruits: nut fruits
- Size: 13-20mm
- winged
- Fruit ripening: end of May
- spread by the wind
- stalked
- ovoid
- cut at the top
- Seeds are formed in the upper part of the fruit
Application in naturopathy
- plant parts used. leaves and dried bark
- helps against diarrhea, eye and skin diseases, ringworm
- has an astringent, blood and wound healing, tonic, diaphoretic effect
- contains: potassium, tannins, silicic acid and mucilage
Use and properties of the wood
- Color of the wood: yellowish or gray, brown in the core
- hard and shockproof, very robust
- Use: Parquet and fine seating furniture