Search Fact Sheets Virginia Tech Dendrology

water elm Ulmaceae Planera aquatica J.F. Gmel. Listen to the Latin Print a QR link to this factsheet symbol: PLAQ
Leaf: Alternate, simple, ovate, serrated margin, 1 to 3 inches long, 1/2 to 1 inch wide, dark green above, paler below.
Flower: Very small, with curling, fuzzy stigmas, appearing with leaves in early spring.
Fruit: Small drupe but very distinctive, 1/2 inch long, covered with warty to long projections.
Twig: Slender, slightly zigzag, initially hairy but becoming glabrous, reddish to gray-brown, lateral buds short, reddish brown, blunt tipped.
Bark: Scaly, shreddy, and patchy, grayish brown on the surface, more reddish where patches exfoliate.
Form: Small tree to 35 feet, often vase-shaped in appearance; flared, flattened roots often develop in wet areas.
 Looks like: American elm - sugarberry

water elm leaf image
water elm flower image
water elm fruit image
water elm twig image
water elm bark image
water elm form image
water elm map image

Additional Range Information: Planera aquatica is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDA Plants Database
All material 2025 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information