General: Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila) is a non-native tree that has been widely introduced around the U.S. because it does well with extremely cold winters and long summer droughts.

Siberian Elm is a tree of moderate size with leaves to about 3-inches long. Each leaf has fewer than 16 veins, and the margin is single serrate (although one author describes it as "obscurely double serrate," which seems to match better than "single serrate"). The tiny, nondescript flowers are borne in clusters, have no petiole, and emerge in the spring before the leaves come on. The fruits are a small seed with a nearly round, papery bract (1/2-inch diameter). Trunk bark is furrowed, and furrows tend not to merge into adjacent furrows. Branches without corky warts or wings.

Siberian Elm is an uncommon component of desert vegetation in places where they were planted for homesteads or in urban settings. Around Las Vegas, look for Siberian Elm in Desert NWR at Corn Creek and in Urban Las Vegas at Floyd Lamb Park.

Family: Elm (Ulmaceae)