Bergmann's Elm
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| Ulmus bergmanniana Schneider |
Bergmann's Elm Ulmus bergmanniana is a deciduous tree found across much of China in forests at elevations of between 1500 m and 3000 m. It is very closely related to the Wych Elm Ulmus glabra. The tree can reach a height of 26 m with a wide-spreading crown, and a trunk of about 0.9 m d.b.h. (diameter at breast height). The bark is longitudinally fissured, and varies in colour from greyish-white to dark grey. The leaves range from obovate to elliptic in shape, and are up to 16 cm long and bluish-green in colour [1]. The wind-pollinated petal-less flowers are produced on second-year shoots in February, followed by generally orbicular samarae up to 16 mm in diameter. The shoots do not possess the corky wings characteristic of many other elm species. Two varieties are recognized: bergmanniana and lasiophylla, distinguished largely by the differing degrees of pubescence on the leaves.
In trials [2] in Oklahoma it was eschewed by Elm Leaf Beetles. The species is also in cultivation in the USA at the Denver Botanic Gardens and is marketed by several specialized elm emporia. The tree was originally introduced to the West in 1900, but is not known to be in cultivation in Europe.
[edit] References
- Fu, L., Xin, Y. & Whittemore, A. (2002). Ulmaceae, in Wu, Z. & Raven, P. (eds) Flora of China, Vol. 5 (Ulmaceae through Basellaceae). Science Press, Beijing, and Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis, USA. [3]
