Ulmus americana
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643ffa3ed00be357743685 |
| Scientific name | Ulmus americana |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Sp. Pl. : 226 (1753) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Traditional healers in three distinct regions have recorded the use of Ulmus americana inner bark as a soothing tea or decoction. Among the Cherokee of the southeastern United States, a decoction of the inner bark was taken for cough and throat irritation (Moerman, 1998). The Iroquois peoples of the northeastern woodlands prepared an infusion of the same material to calm gastrointestinal upset and to treat dysentery (Moerman, 1998). The Ojibwe of the Great Lakes region applied a fresh bark poultice directly to cuts and abrasions, relying on its demulcent qualities to protect raw tissue (Moerman, 1998). These accounts, together with later记载 in early North‑American pharmacopoeias, confirm that the inner bark was the part most frequently used for medicinal preparations.
The bark is also mentioned in the 19th‑century American materia medica for its mucilage, which creates a soothing coating when taken as a tea (American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, 2012). While most historic references involve decoctions or infusions, a handful of ethnobotanical surveys note occasional macerations of the inner bark in cold water to extract the same soothing principles (Kindscher, 1992). The preparation was never listed as a tincture or an alcoholic maceration in the historic literature for American elm.
A practical, everyday tea can be made from dried inner bark as follows: Place 2 g of finely chopped dried bark in 250 mL of water, bring to a gentle boil, then simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let steep for an additional 10 minutes before straining. The resulting liquid is mildly sweet and coats the throat and stomach lining. Most herbal guides suggest limiting consumption to no more than two cups per day, and individuals with a known latex allergy should avoid use because elm bark contains proteins that may trigger a cross‑reaction. Pregnant and nursing women are advised to consult a healthcare professional before regular intake.
The bark’s activity is attributed to two well‑documented phytochemical groups: mucilaginous polysaccharides that swell in water to form a protective gel, and condensed tannins that provide astringent tightening of inflamed tissues (Harborne, 1999). These constituents plausibly explain the traditional demulcent and soothing actions reported for the species. Contemporary research is exploring the anti‑inflammatory potential of elm bark extracts, and dried inner bark is still sold in many North‑American herb shops as a soothing tea and occasionally as a tincture for occasional digestive discomfort.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Ulmus americana is primarily used as high-quality hardwood for furniture, cabinetry, flooring, veneer, paneling, and cooperage. It has a prominent interlocking grain and an attractive figure that suits interior joinery and millwork.
Industrial and craft applications:
The wood’s interlocking grain and high strength, combined with resistance to decay and splitting, make it suitable for bent parts (e.g., chair and rocking-chair components), casks, barrels, and food containers. Historically it has also served in crates, pallets, and general construction.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
The timber’s moisture stability and durability, enhanced by anatomical features such as tyloses, support its use in wine and beer barrels and other food-contact vessels that benefit from low permeability and resistance to moisture.
Colorants and tanning:
No documented modern use as a colorant or for tanning is established for this species in the sources used.
Wood and fiber:
The heartwood is valued for millwork, interior doors, flooring, furniture stock, veneer, and bent components. Typical mechanical attributes include high tangential shrinkage and an interlocked grain that increases stability after drying and reduces splitting.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
No documented use in fragrances or cosmetics is reported.
Properties relevant to use:
The wood’s interlocked grain contributes to strength and resistance to splitting, while anatomical features like tyloses reduce permeability and improve durability against moisture and decay. Dry dimensionally stable hardwood suitable for high-end joinery and cooperage.
Standards and regulation:
The wood is traded within general hardwood grading and grading rules for veneer and furniture stock in North America; timber and product movement may be subject to plant health/quarantine measures due to susceptibility to Dutch elm disease and its vector(s). No separate taxon-specific standards for products are documented in the sources used.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Natural stands are fragmented and thinned by Dutch elm disease, with growth and provenance noted in conservation and restoration initiatives across the species’ native range. No specific FSC/PEFC or similar certification citations for this species are documented in the sources used.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Ulmus obovata | Raf. | New Fl. 3: 38 (1838) |
| Ulmus mollifolia | Marshall | Arbust. Amer. : 156 (1785) |
| Ulmus alba | Raf. | Fl. Ludov. : 115 (1817) |
| Ulmus dentata | Raf. | New Fl. 3: 39 (1838) |
| Ulmus americana f. alba | (Aiton) Fernald | Rhodora 47: 133 (1945) |
| Ulmus americana var. alba | Aiton | Hort. Kew. 1: 320 (1789) |
| Ulmus americana var. pendula | Aiton | Hort. Kew. 1: 320 (1789) |
| Ulmus americana f. pendula | (Aiton) Fernald | Rhodora 47: 133. 1945 |
| Ulmus americana f. intercedens | Fernald | Rhodora 47: 133. 1945 |
| Ulmus americana f. laevior | Fernald | Rhodora 47: 133. 1945 |
| Ulmus floridana | Chapm. | Fl. South. U.S. : 416 (1860) |
| Ulmus americana f. ascendens | A.D.Slavin | Amer. Midl. Naturalist 12: 225. 1931 |
| Ulmus americana var. aspera | Chapm. | Fl. South. U.S. : 416 (1860) |
| Ulmus americana f. columnaris | Rehder | J. Arnold Arbor. 3: 42 (1922) |
| Ulmus americana var. floridana | (Chapm.) Little | Phytologia 4: 306 (1953) |
| Ulmus americana f. viridis | F.Seym. | Amer. Midl. Naturalist 48: 249. 1952 |
| Ulmus americana var. bartramii | Planch. | Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. , sér. 3, 10: 268 (1848) |
| Ulmus americana var. glabra | Planch. | Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. , sér. 3, 10: 268 (1848) |
| Ulmus americana var. scabra | Spach | Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. , sér. 2, 15: 264 (1841) |
| Ulmus americana var. aurea | F.L.Temple | Cycl. Amer. Hort. 4: 1880 (1902) |
| Ulmus americana var. incisa | Loudon | Arbor. Frutic. Brit. 3: 1406 (1838) |
| Ulmus fulva unranked pendula | Meehan | Gard. & Forest 2: 286 (1889) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | water elm |
| English | american elm |
| English | white elm |
| Spanish | olmo blanco |
| Spanish | olmo americano |
| Arabic | دردار أميركي |
| Azerbaijani | ulmus americana var. aspera |
| Azerbaijani | ulmus alba |
| Azerbaijani | ulmus americana f. alba |
| Azerbaijani | ulmus americana f. ascendens |
| Azerbaijani | ulmus americana f. columnaris |
| Azerbaijani | ulmus americana f. intercedens |
| Azerbaijani | ulmus americana f. laevior |
| Azerbaijani | ulmus americana f. pendula |
| Azerbaijani | ulmus americana f. viridis |
| Azerbaijani | ulmus americana var. alba |
| Azerbaijani | ulmus americana var. aurea |
| Azerbaijani | ulmus americana var. bartramii |
| Azerbaijani | ulmus americana var. floridana |
| Azerbaijani | ulmus americana var. glabra |
| Azerbaijani | ulmus americana var. pendula |
| Azerbaijani | ulmus americana var. scabra |
| Azerbaijani | amerika qaraağacı |
| Azerbaijani | ulmus dentata |
| Azerbaijani | ulmus floridana |
| Azerbaijani | ulmus mollifolia |
| Azerbaijani | ulmus obovata |
| Bulgarian | американски бряст |
| chy | homenó'e |
| Czech | jilm americký |
| German | amerikanische ulme |
| German | weißulme |
| Basque | amerikar zumar |
| Persian | نارون آمریکایی |
| French | ulmus floridana |
| French | orme à larges feuilles |
| French | orme américain |
| French | orme d'amerique |
| French | orme d'amérique |
| Hebrew | אולמוס אמריקאי |
| Croatian | američki brijest |
| Indonesian | dardar amerika |
| Icelandic | hvítálmur |
| Japanese | アメリカニレ |
| Latvian | amerikas goba |
| nah | pāpalōcuahuitl |
| Norwegian Bokmål | kvitalm |
| Norwegian Bokmål | hvitalm |
| Dutch | amerikaanse iep |
| Russian | Вяз американский |
| Slovenian | ameriški brest |
| Serbian | Амерички брест |
| Turkish | amerika karaağacı |
| Chinese | 美国榆 |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Northern America click to expand
-
Eastern Canada
- New Brunswick
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Prince Edward Island
- Québec
-
Mexico
- Mexico Northeast
- Mexico Northwest
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North-central U.S.A.
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
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Northeastern U.S.A.
- Connecticut
- Indiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- West Virginia
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Northwestern U.S.A.
- Idaho
- Montana
- Wyoming
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South-central U.S.A.
- Texas
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Southeastern U.S.A.
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- District Of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
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Western Canada
- Manitoba
- Saskatchewan
-
Eastern Canada
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000417596 |
| UNII | CLO61R085W |
| Florida Plant Atlas | 3530 |
| Flora of Alabama | 3634 |
| Cornell Woody Plants | 262 |
| Canadensys | 9424 |
| USDA Plants | ULAM |
| UConn | 512 |
| Tropicos | 33300003 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:304464-2 |
| The Plant List | kew-2450019 |
| Missouri Botanical Garden | 287391 |
| PFAF | Ulmus americana |
| Open Tree Of Life | 706094 |
| Observations.org | 514316 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 29740 |
| Nature Serve | 2.136896 |
| IUCN Red List | 61966619 |
| IPNI | 304464-2 |
| iNaturalist | 53547 |
| GBIF | 5361872 |
| Freebase | /m/0jtsh |
| WisFlora | 5296 |
| FEIS | plants/tree/ulmame |
| EPPO | ULMAM |
| EOL | 594928 |
| Elurikkus | 8062 |
| Calflora (Californian flora) | 9449 |
| US Library of Congress | sh85004315 |
| USDA GRIN | 40817 |
| Wikipedia | Ulmus_americana |
| CMAUP | NPO4120 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
Below is displayed the reference genome only!
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
| Accession | Assembly | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Level | Submitter | Released | Coverage | Size | |
| GCA_010015005.3 | ASM1001500v3 | Scaffold | IRIDIAN GENOMES | 2022-11-30 | 110 | 824.95 Mb |
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Alkaloids and derivatives / Aporphines | |||||
| 1-((7aR)-5,6,7a,8-Tetrahydro-7H-benzo(g)-1,3-benzodioxolo(6,5,4-de)quinolin-7-yl)ethanone | 6453733 | Click to see | 307.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Alkaloids and derivatives / Benzophenanthridine alkaloids / Secobenzophenanthridine alkaloids | |||||
| Arnottianamide | 3085181 | Click to see CN(C=O)C1=C(C=CC2=CC3=C(C=C21)OCO3)C4=C(C(=C(C=C4)OC)OC)O | 381.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Benzenoids / Naphthalenes / Naphthoquinones | |||||
| Mansonone E | 94303 | Click to see CC1COC2=C(C(=O)C(=O)C3=C(C=CC1=C32)C)C | 242.27 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01943121 |
| Mansonone F | 94304 | Click to see | 240.25 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01943121 |
| > Benzenoids / Phenol ethers / Anisoles | |||||
| Estragole | 8815 | Click to see | 148.20 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids | |||||
| Palmitic Acid | 985 | Click to see | 256.42 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty amides / N-acyl amines | |||||
| (2E,4E,8Z,11E)-N-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)tetradeca-2,4,8,11-tetraenamide | 14135320 | Click to see CCC=CCC=CCCC=CC=CC(=O)NCC(C)(C)O | 291.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2E,6R,7E,9E)-6-hydroxy-N-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)-11-oxododeca-2,7,9-trienamide | 101357058 | Click to see | 295.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2E,6Z,8E,10Z)-N-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)dodeca-2,6,8,10-tetraenamide | 46870578 | Click to see CC=CC=CC=CCCC=CC(=O)NCC(C)(C)O | 263.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Bungeanool | 14135319 | Click to see | 291.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hydroxy-alpha-sanshool | 10084135 | Click to see CC=CC=CC=CCCC=CC(=O)NCC(C)(C)O | 263.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hydroxy-Beta-Sanshool | 10220912 | Click to see | 263.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hydroxy-Gamma-Isosanshool | 14135316 | Click to see | 289.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hydroxy-Gamma-Sanshool | 14135317 | Click to see | 289.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Acyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| (+)-Linalyl acetate | 6999980 | Click to see | 196.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Linalool, (+)- | 67179 | Click to see | 154.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Aromatic monoterpenoids | |||||
| 4-Isopropylbenzyl alcohol | 325 | Click to see CC(C)C1=CC=C(C=C1)CO | 150.22 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids | |||||
| (-)-Terpinen-4-ol | 5325830 | Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)(C(C)C)O | 154.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (+)-alpha-Terpineol | 442501 | Click to see | 154.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| 1,2-Naphthalenedione, 6-hydroxy-3,8-dimethyl-5-(1-methylethyl)- | 608583 | Click to see CC1=CC2=C(C(=CC(=C2C(C)C)O)C)C(=O)C1=O | 244.28 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01943121 |
| Mansonone A | 98364 | Click to see | 232.32 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01943121 |
| Mansonone C | 21742 | Click to see CC1=C2C(=C(C=C1)C(C)C)C=C(C(=O)C2=O)C | 228.29 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01943121 |
| Mansonone D | 3083888 | Click to see | 242.27 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01943121 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (-)-beta-Sitosterol | 222284 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Cyclitols and derivatives / Quinic acids and derivatives | |||||
| (1S,3R,4R,5R)-3-[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyloxy]-1,4,5-trihydroxy-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid | 9476 | Click to see C1C(C(C(CC1(C(=O)O)O)OC(=O)C=CC2=CC(=C(C=C2)O)O)O)O | 354.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Ketones | |||||
| (R-(E))-5-Isopropyl-8-methylnona-6,8-dien-2-one | 16058296 | Click to see CC(C)C(CCC(=O)C)C=CC(=C)C | 194.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Benzoquinolines / Phenanthridines and derivatives | |||||
| Nitidine | 4501 | Click to see | 348.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Norchelerythrine | 443719 | Click to see COC1=C(C2=CN=C3C(=C2C=C1)C=CC4=CC5=C(C=C43)OCO5)OC | 333.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Furanoquinolines | |||||
| Skimmianine | 6760 | Click to see COC1=C(C2=C(C=C1)C(=C3C=COC3=N2)OC)OC | 259.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Quinolones and derivatives / Hydroquinolones | |||||
| Schinifoline | 133504 | Click to see | 257.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Quinolones and derivatives / Pyranoquinolines | |||||
| Zanthobungeanine | 5315422 | Click to see | 271.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Catechins | |||||
| Epicatechin | 72276 | Click to see | 290.27 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| 3,5,6-Trihydroxy-4',7'-dimethoxyflavone | 5322058 | Click to see | 330.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Quercetin | 5280343 | Click to see | 302.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-[(2R,3R,4S,5S)-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 5317847 | Click to see | 434.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 94858662 | Click to see | 508.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Guaijaverin | 5481224 | Click to see | 434.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hyperoside | 5281643 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 464.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isorhamnetin 3-O-glucoside | 5318645 | Click to see | 478.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Quercitrin | 5280459 | Click to see | 448.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Rutin | 5280805 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides | |||||
| 3,7-Bis(beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-3',5-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone | 102574483 | Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)O | 640.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isorhamnetin 7-glucoside | 6455477 | Click to see | 478.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Hydroxyflavonoids / 7-hydroxyflavonoids | |||||
| (2S,3S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3-methyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene-5,7-diol | 44445800 | Click to see | 288.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Tannins / Hydrolyzable tannins | |||||
| 4-(beta-D-Glucopyranosyloxy)-3-methoxybenzoic acid | 14132337 | Click to see | 330.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |