Family: Ulmaceae
Author: Huds.
Bibliography: Fl. Angl.: 95 (1762)
Year: 1762
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Ulmus
Vegetable: False
Observations: Europe to W. Siberia and NW. & N. Iran
Description
The Wych elm, scientifically known as Ulmus glabra, is a prominent and resilient member of the Ulmaceae family. This deciduous tree has a significant presence across Europe, extending its natural range to Western Siberia, as well as Northwestern and Northern Iran.
First described by the botanist Huds. in “Fl. Angl.: 95 (1762),” the Wych elm has become well known not only for its adaptability to various climates but also for its considerable ecological and aesthetic value. The Wych elm can often be found thriving in areas with rich, moist soils, and it exhibits a preference for the cool, temperate conditions prevalent within its extensive geographical range.
Characteristically, the Wych elm is a large, spreading tree that can reach impressive heights, commonly growing up to 40 meters. Its broad, rounded crown is formed by arching branches that create a distinctive silhouette against the skyline. The tree’s leaves are oblong to ovate, with a serrated edge and an asymmetrical base, showcasing a vibrant green color during the growing season before transitioning to an array of yellows in the autumn.
The bark of the mature Wych elm is dark and fissured, adding to the tree’s visual interest and rugged charm. In the early spring, before the foliage fully emerges, the Wych elm produces clusters of small, purplish flowers. These flowers are wind-pollinated and give way to the tree’s distinctive winged seeds, known as samaras, which are dispersed by the wind, aiding in the elm’s propagation.
Ecologically, the Wych elm plays a crucial role in its habitat. It provides shelter and food for a variety of wildlife, including numerous bird species and insects. The seeds and leaves are particularly valuable to many creatures during the tree’s active growing season.
The Wych elm is notable for its historical and cultural significance as well. It has been utilized in traditional medicine and woodworking due to its robust and finely grained timber, which is resistant to splitting. Over the centuries, the wood has been used in the making of furniture, tool handles, and other durable wooden items.
Despite its stalwart nature, the Wych elm, like many elm species, faces challenges due to Dutch elm disease, a fungal infection spread by bark beetles. Conservation efforts and breeding programs aim to preserve this majestic tree and ensure its sustainability for future generations.
In summary, the Wych elm (Ulmus glabra) is a vital and venerable species within the Ulmaceae family, renowned for its tremendous ecological contributions, stunning physical characteristics, and rich history spanning across its native territories in Europe, Western Siberia, and parts of the Middle East.
Common Names
Deu: berg-ulme, bergulme, weißrüster
Eng: broadleaf elm, european mountain elm, scotch elm, scottish elm, wych elm, broad-leaved elm
Dan: skov-elm, storbladet elm
Nno: alm
Nob: alm
Nor: alme-træ, ælme-træ
Por: lamegueiro, mosqueiro, ulmeiro-comum, ulmeiro-da-escócia
Fra: orme blanc, orme de montagne, orme des montagnes, orme glabre, orme montagnard, orme rude
Nld: ruwe iep
Swe: skogsalm, vuorijalava, alm
Fin: vuorijalava
Sme: jálvi
Cym: glaswydd, llwyfanen lydanddail, llwyfanen â dail llyfnion, llwyfen, llwyfen lydanddail
En: Wych elm, Scotch elm, Scottish elm, European mountain elm, Broadleaf elm, Scot’s Elm, Scots elm, Mountain elm, Wyth elm, Broad-leaved elm
Ar: دردار أجرد
Hy: Թեղի էլիպսաձև
Az: Nahamar qarağac
Eu: Zumar hostozabal
Be: Шурпаты вяз
Bg: Планински бряст
Ca: Oma
Zh: 欧洲山榆
Hr: Gorski brijest
Cs: Jilm horský
Da: Skov-Elm, Storbladet elm
Nl: Ruwe iep, Ruwe olm
Eo: Malglata ulmo
Et: Harilik jalakas
Fi: Vuorijalava
Fr: Orme blanc, Orme de montagne, Orme des montagnes, Orme glabre, Orme montagnard, Orme rude
Gl: Olmo de montaña
De: Bergulme, Weißrüster, Berg-Ulme, Bergrüster, Haselulme
He: בוקיצה קירחת
Hu: Hegyi szil
Is: Álmur
Ga: Leamhán sléibhe
It: Olmo di montagna, Olmo montano
Lv: Parastā goba
Lt: Kalninė guoba
Mk: Планински брест
Se: Jálvi
No: Alm, Alme-træ, Ælme-træ
Nb: Alm
Nn: Alm
Os: Талм
Fa: ملچ
Pl: Wiąz górski
Pt: Olmo, Lamegueiro, Mosqueiro, Ulmeiro-comum, Ulmeiro-da-escócia
Rm: Ulm da muntogna
Ru: Вяз шершавый
Sr: Брдски брест
Sk: Brest horský
Es: Gorski brest, Olmo montano, Olmo escocés, Olmo de montaña
Sv: Skogsalm, Vuorijalava, Alm
Tr: Dağ karaağacı
Uk: В’яз шорсткий
Cy: Llwyfen lydanddail, Glaswydd, Llwyfanen Lydanddail, Llwyfanen â Dail Llyfnion, Llwyfen
Synonyms
- Ulmus adiantifolia (Dippel)
- Ulmus montana var. fastigiata (Loudon)
- Ulmus × hollandica var. camperdownii ((A.Henry ex Rehder) J.-F.Leroy)
- Ulmus expansa (Rota)
- Ulmus glabra f. camperdownii (A.Henry ex Rehder)
- Ulmus excelsa (Borkh.)
- Ulmus horizontalis (Loudon)
- Ulmus cinerea (Planch.)
- Ulmus procera f. purpurea ((H.Vilm. ex Wesm.) Rehder)
- Ulmus campestris var. purpurea (H.Vilm. ex Wesm.)
- Ulmus glabra f. firma ((C.K.Schneid.) Soó)
- Ulmus scabra f. purpurea ((H.Vilm. ex Wesm.) Dippel)
- Ulmus glabra f. glabrata ((Sond.) Soó)
- Ulmus corylacea (Dumort.)
- Ulmus antarctica (K.Koch)
- Ulmus sukaczevii (Andronov)
- Ulmus montana var. nitida (Fr.)
- Ulmus glabra subsp. scabra ((Mill.) Hyl.)
- Ulmus scabra f. monstrosa (C.K.Schneid.)
- Ulmus glabra f. macrophylla ((Dippel) Soó)
- Ulmus scabra var. nana (Dippel)
- Ulmus montana (Stokes)
- Ulmus glabra var. albovariegata (Weston)
- Ulmus mossii (A.Henry)
- Ulmus montana f. exoniensis ((K.Koch) Boulger)
- Ulmus glabra f. crispa ((Willd.) Rehder)
- Ulmus urticifolia (Audib.)
- Ulmus scabra f. horizontalis ((G.Kirchn.) Dippel)
- Ulmus glabra var. trautvetteri (Johanss.)
- Ulmus montana var. pendula-variegata (Hartwig & Rümpler)
- Ulmus montana var. horizontalis (G.Kirchn.)
- Ulmus communis (Carrière)
- Ulmus montana var. pendula (Loudon)
- Ulmus gigantea (K.Koch)
- Ulmus latifolia (Moench)
- Ulmus campestris subsp. montana ((With.) Bonnier & Layens)
- Ulmus crispa (Willd.)
- Ulmus glabra subvar. dasycarpa (Lindq.)
- Ulmus gallica (A.Chev.)
- Ulmus glabra var. montana ((Stokes) Lindq.)
- Ulmus scabra f. tricuspis ((K.Koch) Dippel)
- Ulmus campestris cornuta (I.David)
- Ulmus glabra f. lutescens ((Dippel) Rehder)
- Ulmus glabra f. atropurpurea ((Späth) Rehder)
- Ulmus inflexa ((Hayne) Sloboda)
- Ulmus montana var. camperdowni (Bean)
- Ulmus intermedia (Dippel)
- Ulmus nigra (Lodd. ex Loudon)
- Ulmus glabra f. exoniensis ((K.Koch) Rehder)
- Ulmus cebennensis (Audib. ex Planch.)
- Ulmus montana var. cebennensis (Loudon)
- Ulmus montana var. pendula-camperdownii (A.Henry)
- Ulmus montana var. pendula-macrophylla (Maxwell)
- Ulmus glabra f. purpurea ((K.Koch) Rehder)
- Ulmus glabra f. elliptica ((Beck) Soó)
- Ulmus forficata (C.Presl)
- Ulmus glabra f. nitida ((Fr.) Rehder)
- Ulmus glabra f. monstrosa ((C.K.Schneid.) Rehder)
- Ulmus glabra f. nana ((Dippel) Rehder)
- Ulmus glabra var. camperdownii ((A.Henry ex Rehder) Rehder)
- Ulmus campestris var. latifolia (Aiton)
- Ulmus exoniensis ((K.Koch) K.Koch)
- Ulmus corylacea var. grandidentata (Dumort.)
- Ulmus scabra f. pendula ((Loudon) Dippel)
- Ulmus glabra f. pendula ((Loudon) Rehder)
- Ulmus viscosa (Desf. ex Steud.)
- Ulmus glabra var. horizontalis ((G.Kirchn.) Dippel)
- Ulmus scabra (Mill.)
- Ulmus ontariensis (Steud.)
- Ulmus glandulosa (Lindl. ex Dippel)
- Ulmus leucocarpa (Schur)
- Ulmus glabra subsp. montana ((Stokes) Hyl.)
- Ulmus scabra var. exoniensis (K.Koch)
- Ulmus glabra f. horizontalis ((G.Kirchn.) Geerinck)
- Ulmus glabra var. scabra ((Mill.) Lindq.)
- Ulmus glutinosa (Willd.)
- Ulmus scabra var. tricuspis (K.Koch)
- Ulmus glabra f. cornuta ((I.David) Rehder)
- Ulmus scabra f. lutescens (Dippel)
- Ulmus montana var. atropurpurea (Späth)
- Ulmus camperdowni ((Bean) J.V.Armstr. & P.D.Sell)
- Ulmus pyramidalis (Dippel)
- Ulmus tomentosa (Borkh.)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iran (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Italy (native)
- Krym (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Norway (native)
- Poland (native)
- Romania (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Amsterdam-St.Paul Is (introduced)
- Connecticut (introduced)
- Illinois (introduced)
- Kazakhstan (introduced)
- Maine (introduced)
- Masachusettes (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- Newfoundland (introduced)
- Rhode I. (introduced)
- Tadzhikistan (introduced)
- Uzbekistan (introduced)
- Vermont (introduced)
Additional Images
Fruit
Taken Mar 29, 2022 by David (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 19, 2022 by Gaël Covain (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 9, 2022 by Georg Jurceka (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 9, 2022 by Georg Jurceka (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 16, 2022 by Peter Laszlo (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Apr 12, 2022 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 30, 2022 by Tatuki (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 21, 2020 by Lynda Recine (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 12, 2009 by EOL − Jan Ševčík (public)
Taken Apr 12, 2022 by Michel AMBROISE (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Apr 12, 2022 by Michel AMBROISE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 12, 2022 by Michel AMBROISE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 14, 2021 by In1980 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 30, 2019 by Benedikt Gremmelspacher (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 30, 2019 by Benedikt Gremmelspacher (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Aug 20, 2019 by Tomasz Weclawiak (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 5, 2019 by Marco Walbrecker (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 5, 2022 by Natur toujour (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 2, 2022 by Dominik Muczyński (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2018 by Amandine Chamiot-Clerc (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken May 3, 2021 by gabriella.g (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 9, 2022 by Georg Jurceka (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 2, 2022 by Dominik Muczyński (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 22, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 3, 2018 by Amandine Chamiot-Clerc (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 3, 2019 by damm (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 11, 2006 by EOL − Micha_el (cc-by)
Taken May 29, 2022 by Suzy Mingus (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 28, 2022 by Prospeirs Martina (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 15, 2022 by Waldemar Zeja (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5361866)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:302887-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ulmus glabra Huds.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Tree
Growth
Ph maximum: 6.5
Ph minimum: 5.5
Light: 7
Atmospheric humidity: 7
Soil nutriments: 6