Ulmus 'Webbiana'

Infobox Cultivar | name = "Ulmus"
cultivar = 'Webbiana'
origin = EnglandThe cultivar 'Webbiana', or Webb's Smooth-leafed Elm, is said to be a form of Cornish Elm, distinguished by its unusual leaves that fold longitudinally. Raised at Lee's Nursery, Hammersmith, London, circa 1868.

Description

The tree is of pyramidal habit, with ascending branches and sparse foliage. Judged almost identical to "Ulmus" 'Concavaefolia' described by Loudon in 1838, and "Ulmus" 'Viscosa' Koch.

Pests and diseases

The tree is not known to have any significant resistance to Dutch elm disease.

Cultivation

Two specimens are known to survive, one in the USA and the other in the UK, the latter treated as a hedging plant to avoid the attentions of the Scolytus beetles that act as vectors of Dutch elm disease. Two were planted at Kew Gardens in 1871 Elwes, H. J. & Henry, A. (1913). "The Trees of Great Britain & Ireland". Vol. VII. pp 1848-1929. Private publication, Edinburgh. [http://fax.libs.uga.edu/QK488xE4/7tgbi/] ] .

Etymology

The origin of the epithet is obscure, but may commemorate Philip Barker Webb, an English botanist of the early 19th century.

Accessions

North America

*Arnold Arboretum acc. no. 761-80

Europe

*Royal Botanic Garden Wakehurst Place, UK acc. no. 1879-21052 (as "U. carpinifolia" f. "webbriana" [sic] )

References