small-leaf elm

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• small-leaf elm
• wahoo elm

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls into the order Rosales and is a member of the family Ulmaceae. Its taxonomic identity is further defined by its placement within the genus Ulmus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern concentrated within certain regions of the United States. In the North-Central region, its presence is documented across the states of Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Additionally, the species can be found extending into the Northeastern United States within the state of Indiana. These locations highlight a range that spans both central plains and eastern landscapes. Collectively, these states represent the primary geographical footprint for Ulmus alata.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Ulmus alata is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to establish a long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a perennial species, it does not complete its life cycle within a single growing season but instead undergoes continuous cycles of growth, maturation, and seasonal dormancy. This longevity enables the plant to invest significant energy into developing robust structural systems, such as woody stems and extensive root networks, which facilitate survival through varying environmental conditions over multiple years. Throughout its life, it progresses through various developmental stages, from seedling establishment to reproductive maturity, contributing to the stability and complexity of its habitat over an extended temporal scale.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ulmus alata is characterized by a robust, woody growth form, specifically categorized as a tree. It functions as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or liana, and it maintains an independent life cycle as a non-parasitic organism. This species typically reaches a significant stature, with an average plant height of approximately 20.06 m. In terms of its ecological habitat and physical orientation, the plant is terrestrial, meaning it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, but grows directly in soil environments.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

20.06 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ulmus alata is characterized by a metabolic framework centered on the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a process where carbon dioxide is fixed directly into a three-carbon compound during the initial stage of the Calvin cycle. This C3 pathway indicates that the plant utilizes the enzyme RuBisCO to catalyze the carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate, a mechanism typical of most woody temperate species that rely on moderate temperatures and sufficient moisture for optimal gas exchange. Consequently, its physiological efficiency is heavily dependent on the regulation of stomatal conductance to balance the intake of CO2 against the loss of water vapor through transpiration. The energy acquisition and biomass accumulation of the plant are thus driven by this C3 mechanism, which dictates its specific adaptations to light interception and nutrient uptake within its ecological niche.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ulmus alata is characterized by a highly specific seed profile and a specialized mechanism for distribution. The plant produces seeds with a very consistent and minimal mass, with both the maximum and minimum recorded values, as well as the mean, stabilizing at approximately 0.004 g. This lightweight seed structure is a critical adaptation for its primary dispersal syndrome, which is classified as anemochorous. By utilizing wind as the main vector for movement, the plant ensures that its small, lightweight seeds can be effectively carried away from the parent organism to colonize new habitats.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Seed mass max:

0.004 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00402266666666667 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ulmus alata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoid.

Flavonoid

1. Food science of animal resources

Activities

Ulmus alata has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hepatoprotective, Neuroprotective.

Hepatoprotective

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Neuroprotective

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Preparations