Ulmus × hollandica 'Elegantissima'
| Ulmus × hollandica | |
|---|---|
| Hybrid parentage | U. glabra × U. minor 'Plotii' |
| Cultivar | 'Elegantissima' |
| Origin | England |
The hybrid elm cultivar 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 Wych Elm and Plot Elm. According to Melville, the hybrid occurs in the main areas of Plot Elm distribution, where it is more common than Plot Elm itself.[3] The tree is sometimes known simply as the 'Midlands Elm'.[4]
The tree should not be confused with U. suberosa (: minor?) elegantissima Hort. listed by Kirchner , in Kirchner & Petzold Arb. Muscav. 556, 1864, as a synonym for U. × viminalis 'Variegata' (: Marginata).
Description
Bean, following Melville, says the hybrid is variable in form, combining characteristics of Wych Elm and Plot Elm.[5] The tree is said to have rather narrow leaves of leathery texture.[4]
Pests and diseases
'Elegantissima' is susceptible to Dutch elm disease.
Cultivation
Hybrids labelled U. glabra × U. plotii (sic) 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, owing to Dutch elm disease, no mature specimens are known to survive beyond the Brighton enclave. The tree is not known to have been introduced to North America or Australasia.
Notable Trees
A strikingly pendulous, weakly suckering, semi-mature Ulmus × hollandica-type hybrid in Edinburgh (2015), wind-sown c.1990 on Warriston Path near the entrance to Warriston Cemetery, may be an example of 'Elegantissima', its U. minor parent probably one of the Ulmus aff. 'Plotii' in nearby Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, the only known pendulous Field Elms in the area. The tree, which has intermediate leaf and samara characteristics, is vigorous and fast-growing, producing long shoots in the canopy and pendulous branching, some branchlets to ground level. The long hanging branches are prone to split at the fork.
Synonymy
- Ulmus montana (: glabra) var. etrusca: Nicholson in Kew Hand-List Trees & Shrubs 2: 139. 1896.
Cultivars
Accessions
Europe
- Brighton & Hove City Council, UK, NCCPG Elm Collection , 1 tree at Hartington Road, Brighton, 1 tree at Trinity Church, Eastbourne.
References
- ↑ Horwood, A.R. & Noel, C.W.F, (1933). Fl. Leicestershire & Rutland: 482
- ↑ Hilliers' Manual of Trees & Shrubs. (1977). David & Charles, Newton Abbot, UK.
- ↑ Melville, Ronald, The Journal of Botany, London, Vol.78, August 1940
- 1 2 3 Wilkinson, G. (1978). Epitaph for the Elm, p.83. Hutchinson. ISBN 0-09-131450-X
- ↑ Bean, W. J. (1988) Trees and shrubs hardy in Great Britain, 8th edition, 659, Murray, London.