European White-elm
Scientific name: Ulmus laevis Pall.
Diagnostic features Tree to 21m. Outline ± orbicular. Trunk often with conspicuous burs, dividing low down into long spreading branches. Leaves 4-12cm, obovate to broadly so, glabrous to densely softly pubescent on lowerside, variably and often strongly asymmetric at base, with 10-18 pairs of lateral veins. Petiole c.3-9mm.
Habitat Introduced-naturalized.
Distribution Rarely planted but occasional in wild in England and Wales, vigorously suckering from old trees in wood in 1 site in Cards; Central & East Europe.
This species is keyed out at Page 1729: Ulmaceae, Ulmus in the Text Key.
Note The long pedicels and yellowish-green rather than reddish flowers are diagnostic; winter buds are also more acute than in the native species |