Ulmus × hollandica 'Elegantissima'

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]

Ulmus × hollandica 'Elegantissima'
Hybrid parentageU. glabra × U. minor
Cultivar'Elegantissima'
OriginEngland

The tree should not be confused with U. suberosa (: minor?) elegantissima Hort. listed by Kirchner,[5] in Kirchner & Petzold's[6] Arboretum Muscaviense (1864),[7] as a synonym for U. minor 'Viminalis Variegata' (:'Marginata').

Description

Bean, following Melville, says the hybrid is variable in form, combining characteristics of Wych Elm and Plot Elm.[8][9] 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 survived at Kew Gardens until the 1970s.[4] In 1976 and 1980, Melville found several in Didcot, at the Power Station, and Foscot Copse. No mature specimens are known to survive, though examples have been reported in the Brighton enclave.[10] The tree is not known to have been introduced to North America or Australasia.

Synonymy
  • Ulmus montana (: glabra) var. etrusca: Nicholson in Kew Hand-List Trees & Shrubs 2: 139. 1896 (?).

Cultivars

References
  1. Horwood, A.R. & Noel, C.W.F, (1933). Fl. Leicestershire & Rutland: 482
  2. Hilliers' Manual of Trees & Shrubs. (1977). David & Charles, Newton Abbot, UK.
  3. Melville, Ronald, The Journal of Botany, London, Vol.78, August 1940
  4. Wilkinson, G. (1978). Epitaph for the Elm, p.83. Hutchinson. ISBN 0-09-131450-X
  5. kiki.huh.harvard.edu
  6. kiki.huh.harvard.edu
  7. Arboretum Muscaviense 556, 1864
  8. Bean, W. J. (1988) Trees and shrubs hardy in Great Britain, 8th edition, 659, Murray, London.
  9. Photograph of 'Elegantissima', archive.bsbi.org.uk , p.13
  10. "List of plants in the {elm} collection". Brighton & Hove City Council. Retrieved 23 September 2016. Brighton & Hove City Council, UK, NCCPG Elm Collection. One tree at Hartington Road, Brighton, one in Valley Gardens, Brighton, one at Trinity Church, Eastbourne (conjectures).
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