Slippery Elm is named for its mucilaginous inner bark, which was ground into a nutritious food and used medicinally by indigenous peoples and early colonists. It is somewhat more resistant to Dutch elm disease than American elm. Its large winged seeds are consumed by many birds, and the foliage supports more than 200 caterpillar species.
Habitat
Moist upland and bottomland forests of eastern and central North America
Diet
Seeds eaten by many birds; larval host for over 200 moth and butterfly species
How common
Common
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