- Zelkova
image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Zelkova serrata"
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo =Rosales
familia =Ulmaceae
genus = "Zelkova"
genus_authority = Spach
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = See text"Zelkova" is a
genus of six species ofdeciduous tree s in the elm familyUlmaceae , native to southernEurope , and southwest and easternAsia . They vary in size fromshrub s ("Z. sicula") to large trees up to 35 m tall ("Z. carpinifolia"). The leaves are alternate, with serrated margins, and (unlike the relatedelm s) a symmetrical base to the leaf blade. Thefruit is a dry, nut-likedrupe , produced singly in the leaf axils.Andrews, S. (1994). Tree of the year: Zelkova. "Int. Dendrol. Soc. Yearbook" 1993: 11-30.] de Spoelberch, P. (1994). Zelkova: More questions than answers. "Int. Dendrol. Soc. Yearbook" 1993: 30-33.] Hunt, D. (1994). Beware of the Zelkova. "Int. Dendrol. Soc. Yearbook" 1993: 33-41.] Rushforth, K. (1999). "Trees of Britain and Europe". Collins ISBN 0-00-220013-9.]pecies
*"
Zelkova abelicea "—Cretan Zelkova
*"Zelkova carpinifolia "—Caucasian Zelkova
*"Zelkova serrata "—Keyaki or Japanese Zelkova
**"Zelkova serrata" var. "serrata"
**"Zelkova serrata" var. "tarokoensis"
*"Zelkova sicula "—Sicilian Zelkova
*"Zelkova sinica "—Chinese Zelkova
*"Zelkova schneideriana "—Schneider's Zelkova;Hybrids
*"Zelkova × verschaffeltii "—Cut-leaf Zelkova ("Z. carpinifolia" × "Z. serrata")Ecology
The Sicilian Zelkova "Z. sicula", only discovered in
1991 , is listed as anendangered species . The only known population comprises a small number of lowshrub s suffering from severeovergrazing ; the natural mature size of undamaged specimens is unknown.IUCN: [http://www.iucn.org/themes/ssc/our_work/plants/Top50/English/Zelkova_sicula_EN.htm "Zelkova sicula"] ]The genus "Zelkova" was common throughout northern
Europe andNorth America as late as thePliocene . However, extensivePleistocene glaciation has confined the genus to its present range to the easternMediterranean islands and theCaucasus , and in easternAsia where only local glaciation occurred.Follieri, M., Magri, D., & Sadori, L. (1986). Late Pleistocene Zelkova Extinction in Central Italy. "New Phytologist" 103 (1): 269-273 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0028-646X%28198605%29103%3A1%3C269%3ALPZEIC%3E2.0.CO%3B2-U&size=LARGE&origin=JSTOR-enlargePage Abstract] ] Flora of North America: [http://www.fna.org/FNA/Volume/V01/Chapter03.shtml History of North American Vegetation] ]Cultivation and uses
"Zelkova serrata" and "Z. carpinifolia" are grown as
ornamental tree s. Thewood is hard, used for making furniture.Etymology
The name "Zelkova" derives from the native name of "Z. carpinifolia" in one or more of the
languages of the Caucasus , as shown by the Georgian name, Unicode|ძელქვა (dzelkva). ძელ dzel meaning "bar", and ქვა kva meaning "rock". The tree was often used for making rock-hard and durable bars for building.References
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