planertree
Planera aquatica J.F.Gmel.
Planera aquatica, known as planertree or water elm, is a small deciduous tree in the Ulmaceae family. It is native to the southeastern United States and grows up to 10–15 m tall. The tree is adapted to wet environments and produces a softly prickly nut, distinguishing it from true elms. It is hardy in Zone 7 and is vulnerable to Dutch elm disease, a condition affecting the Ulmaceae family.
Description
Planera aquatica is a species of flowering plant in the genus Planera. It is found in the southeastern United States, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, and other states. This tree is not a true elm but is closely related to the elms. Its fruit is a 10–15 mm diameter nut with a prickly texture, rather than a winged seed. The species is commonly referred to as planertree or water elm due to its preference for wet habitats. It was first described in 1791 by J.F. Gmelin. Planera aquatica is susceptible to Dutch elm disease, a fungal infection that affects members of the Ulmaceae family.
Other common names
water-elmplanertree
Distribution
Global · Alabama · Arkansas · Florida · Georgia · Illinois · Kentucky · Louisiana · Mississippi · Missouri · North Carolina · Oklahoma · South Carolina · Tennessee · Texas
Synonyms
Ulmus campestrisUlmus aquaticaPlanera richardiiPlanera ulmifoliaPlanera gmeliniiPlanera americanaAbelicea aquatica