Ulmaceae

Ulmaceae is a family of flowering plants that includes elms, hackberries, and winged elms. These trees and shrubs are found in temperate and tropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The family is characterized by its deciduous or evergreen nature, alternate, simple leaves with serrated margins, and bisexual flowers often produced in clusters. The fruit is typically a samara, a winged achene.

The most well-known genus in Ulmaceae is Ulmus, commonly known as elm. Elms are large deciduous trees that were once widespread across North America and Eurasia. Many elm species have been devastated by Dutch elm disease, a fungal pathogen spread by bark beetles. Other important genera include Celtis, the hackberries, which are hardy trees often found in drier habitats and are known for their edible, berry-like fruits. The genus Planera, containing the single species Planera aquatica (water elm), is also part of this family, found in wet environments.

Historically, Ulmaceae has been classified in various orders, but modern molecular phylogenetics places it within the order Rosales. The family is relatively small, with only a few genera and a limited number of species, but it has significant ecological and historical importance, particularly the elms in landscape and urban forestry. The wood of elms and hackberries has been used for various purposes, including furniture, construction, and tool handles.