| Ulmus × hollandica 'Elegantissima' | |
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Ulmus × hollandica 'Elegantissima', Wijnegem, Belgium Photo: R. Govaerts |
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| Details | |
| Hybrid parentage | U. glabra × U. minor var. plotii |
| Origin | England |
Ulmus × hollandica 'Elegantissima' was the name given by A. R. Horwood in his Flora of Leicestershire and Rutland (1933) to an elm found in those counties [1][2] and later identified by Melville as a natural hybrid between U. glabra and U. minor var. plotii. According to Melville, the hybrid occurs in the main areas of Plot Elm distribution, where it is more common than Plot Elm itself.[3] It is sometimes known simply as the 'Midlands Elm'.[4]
The tree should not be confused with U. suberosa (: minor?) elegantissima Hort. listed by Kirchner [1], in Kirchner & Petzold[2] Arb. Muscav. 556, 1864, as a synonym for U. × viminalis 'Variegata' (: Marginata).
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W. J. Bean, following Melville, says the hybrid is variable in form, combining characteristics of wych elm and Plot Elm.[5] It is said to have rather narrow leaves of leathery texture.[4]
'Elegantissima' is susceptible to Dutch elm disease.
Hybrids labelled U. glabra × U. plotii survived at Kew Gardens and the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh until the 1970s and 1980s.[4] In 1976 and 1980, Melville found several in Didcot, at the Power Station, and Foscot Copse. In the UK, mature trees are probably now extinct beyond the Brighton enclave owing to Dutch elm disease. The tree is not known to have been introduced to North America or Australasia.