Mexican elm is a deciduous tree with a rounded canopy and deeply furrowed bark, growing up to 30 meters tall. Its leaves are oblong to lanceolate, with serrated margins and a lustrous green surface, typically turning yellow before falling in autumn. The small, inconspicuous flowers bloom prior to leaf emergence, later developing into flat, winged seeds. Mexican elm is adapted to thrive in moist, well-drained soils, often found in mountainous regions, riparian zones, or as a landscape specimen.