From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ulmus parvifolia, commonly known as theChinese elm[1]orlacebark elm, is aspeciesnative to eastern Asia, including China, India, Taiwan, Japan, North Korea, and Vietnam.[2]It has been described as "one of the most splendid elms, having the poise of a gracefulNothofagus".[3]
The tree was introduced to the UK in 1794 byJames Main, who collected in China for Gilbert Slater ofLow Layton, Essex.[4][5]
A small to mediumdeciduous,semi-deciduous(rarely semi-evergreen) tree growing to 10–18m (33–59ft) tall and 15–20m (49–66ft) wide with a slender trunk and crown. The leathery, lustrous green single-toothedleavesare small, 2–5cm long by 1–3cm broad, and often retained as late as December or even January in Europe and North America. Theapetalouswind-pollinatedperfect flowersare produced in early autumn, small and inconspicuous. The fruit is asamara, elliptic to ovate-elliptic, 10–13mm long by 6–8mm broad.[2]The samara is mostlyglabrous, the seed at the centre or toward the apex, borne on a stalk 1–3mm in length; it matures rapidly and disperses by late autumn. The trunk has a handsome, flaking bark of mottled greys with tans and reds, giving rise to its other common name, the lacebark elm, although scarring from major branch loss can lead to large canker-like wounds.Ploidy:2n= 28.[5][6][7][8][9]
Many nurserymen and foresters mistakenly refer toUlmus pumila, the rapidly growing, disease-ridden, relatively short-lived, weak-wooded Siberian elm, as "Chinese elm." This has given the true Chinese elm an undeserved bad reputation. The two elms are very distinct and different species. Among other obvious differences, with age the Siberian elm's bark becomes deeply ridged and furrowed, and possesses a very rough, greyish-black appearance, while the Chinese elm's smooth bark becomes flaky and blotchy, exposing very distinctive, light-coloured mottling, hence the synonymlacebark elmfor the real Chinese elm.[10]