Field Elm

Field Elm
Conservation status
Least Concern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Rosales Family: Ulmaceae Genus: Ulmus Species: U. minor
Binomial name
Ulmus minor Mill.
Synonyms
Ulmus campestris var. glabra Hartig, Planch., Aschers. & Graebn. Ulmus campestris var. laevis Spach, Planch. Ulmus carpinifolia Gled. Ulmus foliaceae Gilibert, Sarg., (also known as the Mulberry-leaved Elm) Ulmus glabra (not Huds.), Mill., Smith, Loudon, Rcbh., Wilkomm, C. K. Schneid., Ley Ulmus nitens Moench

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Field Elm

The Field Elm Ulmus minor Mill. is by far the most polymorphic of the European species, although its taxonomy remains a matter of contention. Its current treatment owes much to Richens, who sank a number of British elms as either subspecies or varieties in 1968. However, Melville, writing 10 years later, identified five distinct species, several varieties and numerous complex hybrids. In 1992, 14 years after Melville, Armstrong identified no fewer than 40 microspecies. Stace (1997) wrote of the British elms "The 2-species (glabra and minor) concept of Richens is not sufficiently discriminating to be of taxonomic value". It is hoped that analysis of molecular markers will ultimately eliminate the taxonomic confusion. Nevertheless, it is Richens’ classification that has been the most commonly adopted in recent years, but it is not used in Flora Europaea[1]. Given the vast range of forms, branching habits and leaf shapes, it would be futile to attempt a detailed description of U. minor. Its natural range is predominantly south European, but extends to Asia Minor.

One feature that remains common to all varieties is the ease with which U. minor produces suckers from roots and stumps, even after devastation by Dutch elm disease, consequently the genetic resources of the species are not considered endangered.

Cultivars

• Microphylla pendula?

Hybrid cultivars

None known

Arboreta etc accessions

North America

None known

Europe

• Arboretum de La Petite Loiterie [2], Monthodon, France. No details available
• Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh,UK, acc. nos. 19699368, 16899359, 19699365
• Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, UK, acc. no. 2001-0188, 3 specimens collected in Iran, 2000.

Nurseries

North America

None known

Europe

• Eggleston Hall Gardens, [3]
• Firecrest Tree & Shrub Nursery, [4]
• Trees & Hedges, [5]
• UmbraFlor [6], Spello, Italy

References

• Armstrong, J. V. & Sell, P. D. (1996). A revision of the British elms (Ulmus L., Ulmaceae): the historical background. Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 120: 39-50.
• Melville, R. (1978). On the discrimination of species in hybrid swarms with special reference to Ulmus and the nomenclature of U. minor (Mill.) and U. carpinifolia (Gled.). Taxon 27: 345-351.
• Richens, R. H. (1968). The correct designation of the European field elms. Feddes Repertorium 79: 1-2.
• Stace, C. A. (1997). New Flora of the British Isles. 2nd edition. Cambridge University Press.
• http://www.ipgri.cgiar.org/Networks/euforgen/Networks/Scattered_Broadleaves/NHStrategies/UlmusSppConsStrategy.htm.

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