Cladus: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Divisio: Magnoliophyta
Classis: Magnoliopsida
Ordo: Rosales
Familia: Ulmaceae
Genus: Zelkova
Species: Z. abelicea - Z. carpinifolia - Z. serrata - Z. sicula - Z. sinica - Z. schneideriana

Vernacular names

Synonyms

Abelicea

Zelkova is a genus of six species of deciduous trees in the elm family Ulmaceae, native to southern Europe, and southwest and eastern Asia. They vary in size from shrubs (Z. sicula) to large trees up to 35 m tall (Z. carpinifolia). The leaves are alternate, with serrated margins, and (unlike the related elms) a symmetrical base to the leaf blade. The fruit is a dry, nut-like drupe, produced singly in the leaf axils.[1][2][3][4]

Species

* Zelkova abelicea—Cretan Zelkova
* Zelkova carpinifolia—Caucasian Zelkova
* Zelkova serrata—Keyaki or Japanese Zelkova
o Zelkova serrata var. serrata
o 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 an endangered species. The only known population comprises a small number of low shrubs suffering from severe overgrazing; the natural mature size of undamaged specimens is unknown.[5]

The genus Zelkova was common throughout northern Europe and North America as late as the Pliocene. However, extensive Pleistocene glaciation has confined the genus to its present range to the eastern Mediterranean islands and the Caucasus, and in eastern Asia where only local glaciation occurred.[6][7]

Cultivation and uses

Zelkova serrata and Z. carpinifolia are grown as ornamental trees. The wood is hard, used for making furniture.

Etymology

The name Zelkova derives from the native name of Z. carpinifolia in one of the Kartvelian languages, as shown by the Georgian name, 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

1. ^ Andrews, S. (1994). Tree of the year: Zelkova. Int. Dendrol. Soc. Yearbook 1993: 11-30.
2. ^ de Spoelberch, P. (1994). Zelkova: More questions than answers. Int. Dendrol. Soc. Yearbook 1993: 30-33.
3. ^ Hunt, D. (1994). Beware of the Zelkova. Int. Dendrol. Soc. Yearbook 1993: 33-41.
4. ^ Rushforth, K. (1999). Trees of Britain and Europe. Collins ISBN 0-00-220013-9.
5. ^ IUCN: Zelkova sicula
6. ^ Follieri, M., Magri, D., & Sadori, L. (1986). Late Pleistocene Zelkova Extinction in Central Italy. New Phytologist 103 (1): 269-273 Abstract
7. ^ Flora of North America: History of North American Vegetation