Zelkova

Taxobox
name = "Zelkova"

---

image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Zelkova serrata"
regnum = Plantae
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 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.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 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.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 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.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 trees. The wood 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