Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Planertree, Water-Elm (Planera aquatica)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Urticales>Ulmaceae>Planera aquatica (Walter) J.F. Gmelin

Planertree, Water-Elm (Planera aquatica)

Planertree is a rare medium-sized tree in the elm family, found along rivers in the southeastern Coastal Plain of North Carolina.

The leaves are somewhat similar to those of Winged Elm, but more likely to be confused with those of River Birch, which is common in the same habitat. The bark is the quickest way to tell the two apart. Sugarberry and American Elm, possible confusion species, have lopsided bases, while those of Planertree are more even.

Lumber River State Park, Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

Planertree, Water-Elm (Planera aquatica)

Young twigs are hairy.

Lumber River, Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

Planertree, Water-Elm (Planera aquatica)

Developing fruits.

Lumber River, Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

Planertree, Water-Elm (Planera aquatica)

Leaves sprouting from a stump.

Lumber River, Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

Planertree, Water-Elm (Planera aquatica)

Lumber River, Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

Planertree, Water-Elm (Planera aquatica)

Overhead leaves.

Lumber River, Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

Planertree, Water-Elm (Planera aquatica)

The bark is similar to that of elms.

Bark of a medium-sized tree.

Lumber River, Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

Planertree, Water-Elm (Planera aquatica)

Bark of a medium-sized tree.

Lumber River, Robeson Co., NC 5/29/08.

More information:
Virginia Tech Dendrology

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