Ulmus microcarpa
Encyclopedia
Ulmus microcarpa L. K. Fu, known as the Tibetan Elm in the USA, remains one of the more obscure Chinese elms, endemic only to the broadleaved forests of the south-eastern corner of Xizang Province (formerly Tibet
) at altitudes of around 2800 m.
to elliptic
leaves < 17 cm long by 8 cm broad borne on extraordinarily corky branchlets bestowing a highly unusual appearance. As its specific epithet implies, the suborbicular samarae
are small, < 8 mm across. .
, and accessions are currently restricted to two arboreta in the USA. In Europe, the species' existence is restricted to three hardwood cuttings grafted onto Wych Elm Ulmus glabra rootstock
s by the Bonte Hoek nursery at Glimmen
, Netherlands, in 2011.
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
) at altitudes of around 2800 m.
Description
U. microcarpa can grow to < 30 m in height, with oblongLeaf shape
In botany, leaf shape is characterised with the following terms :* Acicular : Slender and pointed, needle-like* Acuminate : Tapering to a long point...
to elliptic
Leaf shape
In botany, leaf shape is characterised with the following terms :* Acicular : Slender and pointed, needle-like* Acuminate : Tapering to a long point...
leaves < 17 cm long by 8 cm broad borne on extraordinarily corky branchlets bestowing a highly unusual appearance. As its specific epithet implies, the suborbicular samarae
Samara (fruit)
A samara is a type of fruit in which a flattened wing of fibrous, papery tissue develops from the ovary wall. A samara is a simple dry fruit and indehiscent . It is a winged achene...
are small, < 8 mm across. .
Cultivation
U. microcarpa is very rare in cultivation outside ChinaChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, and accessions are currently restricted to two arboreta in the USA. In Europe, the species' existence is restricted to three hardwood cuttings grafted onto Wych Elm Ulmus glabra rootstock
Rootstock
A rootstock is a plant, and sometimes just the stump, which already has an established, healthy root system, used for grafting a cutting or budding from another plant. The tree part being grafted onto the rootstock is usually called the scion...
s by the Bonte Hoek nursery at Glimmen
Glimmen
Glimmen is a village that is part of the municipality of Haren, which lies in the province Groningen in the Netherlands. It is 10 kilometres to the city of Groningen and 5 kilometre to Haren. Glimmen has about 1700 inhabitants...
, Netherlands, in 2011.
Accessions
North America- Brenton ArboretumBrenton ArboretumThe Brenton Arboretum 121 acres is a new arboretum and botanical garden in early stages of development, located at 2629 Palo Circle, Dallas Center, Iowa, USA. The Arboretum aims to display all Iowa native trees and shrubs suitable to the site, as well as many other tree species which can grow in...
, Dallas Center, IowaIowaIowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
. Accession details not known. - Morton ArboretumMorton ArboretumThe Morton Arboretum, in Lisle, Illinois, covers 1,700 acres and is made up of gardens of various plant types and collections of trees from specific taxonomical and geographical areas. It includes native woodlands and a restored Illinois prairie. The Arboretum has over 4,100 different species of...
. Acc. nos. 362-2006, 588-2006, both wild collected in Xizang.