slippery elm
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A species of North American elm tree: "slippery elm" refers to a specific type of elm tree (Ulmus rubra) native to North America. It is characterized by its rough leaves, which are reddish when they first open in spring. The tree yields a hard, durable wood.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The inner bark of the slippery elm has been used in traditional medicine.
- The forest contains several mature slippery elms.
- Slippery elm wood is valued for its hardness and resistance to splitting.
Advanced Usage
- Botanical Context: The term is used precisely in botany and forestry to identify this specific species, distinguishing it from other elms like the American elm ().
- The field guide helped us identify the tree as a slippery elm based on its leaf texture and early spring color.
Variants and Related Words
- Ulmus rubra (n): The scientific, Latin name for the slippery elm tree.
- Red elm (n): A common alternative name for the slippery elm, referring to the color of its heartwood or its spring buds.
- Inner bark (n): The part of the slippery elm tree historically harvested for its mucilaginous properties.
Synonyms
- Red elm: An alternative common name for the same tree species.
Notes on Meaning
- The primary meaning is botanical, referring to the tree itself. A secondary, related concept involves the use of its processed inner bark, often called "slippery elm bark," as an herbal supplement. However, the core definition pertains to the living tree species.
Noun
- North American elm having rough leaves that are red when opening; yields a hard wood