Planera is a genus of flowering plants with a single species, Planera aquatica,[2] the planertree[3] or water elm. Found in the southeastern United States, it is a small deciduoustree 10–15 m tall, closely related to the elms but with a softly, prickly nut 10–15 mm diameter, instead of a winged seed. It grows, as the name suggests, on wet sites. Despite its common English name, this species is not a true elm, although it is a close relative of the elms (species of the genus Ulmus). It is also subject to Dutch elm disease, a disease which affects only members of the Ulmaceae. It is native to most of the southeast United States. It is hardy down to Zone 7.[4]
Leaves: alternate, 3–7 cm long, with irregularly serrated to double serrated margins. Leaf base wedge-shaped or rounded. Leaf base often equal and symmetrical, but can be asymmetrical.[5] Thin pubescent hair is often present on underside of leaf.
Bark: gray-brown, thin, some flaky loose scales. Exfoliates to reveal red-brown area under bark.[5][6]
Fruit: a drupe. Has a green shell that turns brown with age. Matures April - May.[5]
Distinguishing Characteristics
While often confused with true elms, it can be easily distinguished by noticing the fruit are drupes and not samaras. When fruit are not in season, the flaky bark is unique to water elm and not characteristic of true elms.[5]
May also be confused with Celtis (hackberries), but hackberry leaves have pronounced lower lateral veins not found on water elm.[5]
Ecology
Typically found on alluvial floodplains subjected to seasonal or temporary flooding.[5] Often found in swamps, streams, lakes, or in riparian areas. Has some wildlife value, food for bees and some bird species. Prefers sandy or gravelly, moist soils.[6]
^IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group.; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; et al. (BGCI) (2020). "Planera aquatica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T152858603A152905699. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T152858603A152905699.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
^ ab"Search results for Planera". The Plant List. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
^ abUSDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Planera aquatica". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
^"Water Elm Ulmaceae Planera aquatica J.F. Gmel". Virginia Tech Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
^ abcdefKirkman, L. Katherine. (2007). Native trees of the Southeast. Brown, Claud L., 1925-, Leopold, Donald Joseph, 1956-. Portland, Or.: Timber Press. ISBN978-0-88192-828-0. OCLC 69792028.
planera, genus, flowering, plants, with, single, species, aquatica, planertree, water, found, southeastern, united, states, small, deciduous, tree, tall, closely, related, elms, with, softly, prickly, diameter, instead, winged, seed, grows, name, suggests, sit. Planera is a genus of flowering plants with a single species Planera aquatica 2 the planertree 3 or water elm Found in the southeastern United States it is a small deciduous tree 10 15 m tall closely related to the elms but with a softly prickly nut 10 15 mm diameter instead of a winged seed It grows as the name suggests on wet sites Despite its common English name this species is not a true elm although it is a close relative of the elms species of the genus Ulmus It is also subject to Dutch elm disease a disease which affects only members of the Ulmaceae It is native to most of the southeast United States It is hardy down to Zone 7 4 Water elmConservation statusLeast Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationKingdom PlantaeClade TracheophytesClade AngiospermsClade EudicotsClade RosidsOrder RosalesFamily UlmaceaeGenus PlaneraJ F Gmel Species P aquaticaBinomial namePlanera aquaticaJ F Gmel 2 Natural range of the water elm Contents 1 Water Elm 1 1 Description 1 1 1 Distinguishing Characteristics 1 2 Ecology 2 ReferencesWater Elm EditDescription Edit Bark Leaves Leaf underside displaying pubescence Fruit with and without shellLeaves alternate 3 7 cm long with irregularly serrated to double serrated margins Leaf base wedge shaped or rounded Leaf base often equal and symmetrical but can be asymmetrical 5 Thin pubescent hair is often present on underside of leaf Bark gray brown thin some flaky loose scales Exfoliates to reveal red brown area under bark 5 6 Fruit a drupe Has a green shell that turns brown with age Matures April May 5 Distinguishing Characteristics Edit While often confused with true elms it can be easily distinguished by noticing the fruit are drupes and not samaras When fruit are not in season the flaky bark is unique to water elm and not characteristic of true elms 5 May also be confused with Celtis hackberries but hackberry leaves have pronounced lower lateral veins not found on water elm 5 Ecology Edit Typically found on alluvial floodplains subjected to seasonal or temporary flooding 5 Often found in swamps streams lakes or in riparian areas Has some wildlife value food for bees and some bird species Prefers sandy or gravelly moist soils 6 Classified as an obligate wetland plant OBL 3 References Edit IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group Botanic Gardens Conservation International et al BGCI 2020 Planera aquatica IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020 e T152858603A152905699 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2020 1 RLTS T152858603A152905699 en Retrieved 19 November 2021 a b Search results for Planera The Plant List Retrieved 1 March 2016 a b USDA NRCS n d Planera aquatica The PLANTS Database plants usda gov Greensboro North Carolina National Plant Data Team Retrieved 7 October 2015 Water Elm Ulmaceae Planera aquatica J F Gmel Virginia Tech Department of Forestry and Environmental Conservation Retrieved December 15 2014 a b c d e f Kirkman L Katherine 2007 Native trees of the Southeast Brown Claud L 1925 Leopold Donald Joseph 1956 Portland Or Timber Press ISBN 978 0 88192 828 0 OCLC 69792028 a b Planera aquatica Water Elm North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox plants ces ncsu edu Retrieved 2020 11 02 This Ulmaceae article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Planera amp oldid 1056079598, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
