Family: Ulmaceae
Author: Mill.
Bibliography: Gard. Dict. ed. 8: n.º 6 (1768)
Year: 1768
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Ulmus
Vegetable: False
Observations: Europe to C. Asia and N. & NW. Iran, NW. Africa
Description
The European field elm, known scientifically as Ulmus minor, is a notable member of the Ulmaceae family. Its presence is widespread, originating from diverse regions including Europe, Central Asia, Northern and Northwestern Iran, as well as Northwestern Africa. Typically found in woodlands, hedgerows, and along riverbanks, this elm species has adapted to a variety of environments, showcasing its ecological versatility.
Ulmus minor is distinguished by its elegant, slender branches and deeply fissured bark. The leaves are asymmetrical at the base, which is a characteristic feature of many elm species, and they boast a rough texture on the upper surface, while being smoother below. In the spring, the European field elm produces small, inconspicuous flowers that precede the emergence of its unique samara fruits. These winged seeds are designed for effective wind dispersal, aiding the propagation of the species across various terrains.
Historically, the European field elm has played a significant role in both the natural and human landscape. It was first officially documented in 1768 in the “Gardener’s Dictionary,” a seminal horticultural guide of its time. The species has been valued not only for its aesthetic appeal and shade but also for its robust timber, which has been utilized in furniture-making and construction due to its interlocking grain that offers resistance to splitting.
Despite its historical prevalence, Ulmus minor has faced considerable challenges, most notably from Dutch elm disease—a devastating fungal infection spread by beetles that has led to significant declines in elm populations across Europe. Conservation efforts, including breeding and research into disease-resistant strains, are ongoing to preserve this iconic tree species for future generations.
In conclusion, the European field elm remains an emblematic species within its range, admired for its flexibility and contributions to both natural ecosystems and human crafts. Its survival amidst adversity underscores its resilience and the enduring efforts to maintain its presence in the world’s diverse landscapes.
Common Names
Eng: european field elm, small-leaved elm, smoothleaf elm, field elm, small leaved elm
Deu: feld-ulme, feldulme, rot-ruester
Dan: park-elm, småbladet elm
Nld: gladde iep
Nob: lundalm
Nno: lundalm
Swe: lundalm, rödalm
Fra: orme champêtre, ormeau, petit orme, orme à feuilles luisantes
Lav: stepes goba, stepju goba, stepju gobas forma
Cym: llwyfen fanddail, pren llwyf
En: European field elm, Small-leaved Elm, Smoothleaf elm, Field Elm, Small Leaved Elm, Common Elm, English Elm, Smooth-leaved Elm
Ar: دردار أصغر
Hy: Թեղի խցանային
Az: Kiçik qarağac
Eu: Zumar hostotxiki
Be: Бераст
Bg: Полски бряст
Ca: Om comú
Zh: 歐洲野榆
Hr: Poljski brijest
Cs: Jilm habrolistý
Da: Småbladet Elm, Park-elm
Nl: Gladde iep, Gladde Lep
Eo: Glata ulmo
Fi: Lehtojalava
Fr: Orme champêtre, Ormeau, Petit orme, Orme à feuilles luisantes, Ipréau, Orme à feuilles de charme, Orme cilié, Yvet
Gl: Olmo mediterráneo
De: Feldulme, Feld-Ulme, Rot-Ruester, Feldrüster
He: בוקיצה שעירה
Hu: Mezei szil
It: Olmo campestre, Olmo comune, Olmo minore
Lv: Stepes goba, Stepju goba, Stepju gobas forma
Lt: Paprastasis skirpstas
Mk: Полски брест
No: Lundalm
Nb: Lundalm
Nn: Lundalm
Os: Сывылдз
Fa: اوجا
Pl: Wiąz pospolity
Rm: Ulm champester
Ru: Вяз малый
Sr: Пољски брест
Sk: Brest hrabolistý
Es: Olmo común, Poljski brest, Álamo negro, Negrillo
Sv: Lundalm, Rödalm
Tr: Ova karaağacı
Uk: Берест
Cy: Llwyfen Fanddail, Pren Llwyf
Synonyms
- Ulmus foliacea var. pilosula (Johanss.)
- Ulmus campestris var. corylifolia ((Host) Lange)
- Ulmus campestris var. minor ((Mill.) St.-Lag.)
- Ulmus campestris minor ((Mill.) Asch. & Graebn.)
- Ulmus glabra f. minor ((Mill.) C.K.Schneid.)
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Corse (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Krym (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Tadzhikistan (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Turkmenistan (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Uzbekistan (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Azores (introduced)
- Baleares (introduced)
- Bolivia (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Canary Is. (introduced)
- Cape Provinces (introduced)
- Connecticut (introduced)
- Illinois (introduced)
- Ireland (introduced)
- Kentucky (introduced)
- Masachusettes (introduced)
- Missouri (introduced)
- New York (introduced)
- Northern Provinces (introduced)
- Ontario (introduced)
- Rhode I. (introduced)
- Vermont (introduced)
Additional Images
Fruit
Taken Apr 15, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 5, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 15, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 4, 2018 by Pierre Dumortier (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 5, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Nov 20, 2019 by j B (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 7, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 12, 2019 by elena (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 5, 2018 by bladmax (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 27, 2018 by Juan I Deán (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Apr 5, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 5, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 5, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 19, 2019 by jid (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 13, 2019 by jid (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Aug 19, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 23, 2021 by Stéphane Mars (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 7, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 20, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 23, 2021 by Pascal Pereira (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Aug 19, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 7, 2021 by Manuëlle (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 11, 2021 by Dabronzo Carlo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 23, 2021 by Stéphane Mars (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 20, 2019 by j B (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Nov 2, 2019 by isabelle dufresne (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 22, 2020 by sallent pep (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 22, 2020 by sallent pep (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 23, 2020 by Arjan Deuzeman (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 12, 2019 by Claudio Nicolo (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/5361865)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:856890-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ulmus minor Mill.)
Specifications
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 7.0
Light: 7
Atmospheric humidity: 5
Soil nutriments: 7