Ulmus mexicana

(Liebm.) Planch.

Ulmaceae Edible: Fruit 131 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Ulmus mexicana, the Mexican elm, is a large tree endemic to Mexico and Central America. It is most commonly found in cloud forest and the higher elevations (800–2,200 m (2,600–7,200 ft)) of tropical rain forest with precipitation levels of 2–4 m (79–157 in) per year, ranging from San Luis Potosi south to Chiapas in Mexico, and from Guatemala to Panama beyond. The tree was first described botanically in 1873.

Description

A tree. It grows 25 m tall. The leaves are sword shaped to oval. They are 4-16 cm long by 2-7 cm wide. The fruit are oval and 9-11 mm long by 2.5-3 mm wide. The seeds is about 1.75 mm long by 1.25 mm wide.

Edible Uses

The fruit is eaten as a snack.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten as a snack.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The bark is astringent. It is used locally in the treatment of coughs.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant.

Where It Grows

Central America, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama,

Other Uses

The heartwood is deep reddish brown, often with darker streaks, while the thick band of sapwood is light brownish gray. The wood is fine-grained, rather hard, moderately heavy, very tough and strong, in structure much like that of the elm (Ulmus spp.). It takes a good polish. It is used for construction, railroad ties, cart axles, beds, and cart wheels]

Synonyms

Chaetoptelea mexicana Liebm.

Also Known As

Olmo, Tsaah

References (1)

Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 887