European White-elm
Ulmus laevis
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulmus_laevis
Overview
Ulmus laevis Pall., variously known as the European white elm, fluttering elm, spreading elm, stately elm and, in the United States, the Russian elm, is a large deciduous tree native to Europe, from France northeast to southern Finland, east beyond the Urals into Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, and southeast to Bulgaria and the Crimea; there are also disjunct populations in the Caucasus and Spain, the latter now considered a relict population rather than an introduction by man, and possibly the origin of the European population. U. laevis is rare in the UK, although its random distribution, together with the absence of any record of its introduction, has led at least one British authority to consider it native.
NB: The epithet 'white' elm commonly used by British foresters alluded to the...
European White-elm faces severe decline primarily due to Dutch elm disease, a devastating fungal infection spread by elm bark beetles that has decimated elm populations across Europe. Habitat loss from urbanization and agricultural expansion, along with hybridization with other elm species, further threatens the genetic integrity and survival of pure populations.
Habitat
Other threatened species in Ulmaceae
Frequently asked questions
Why is European White-elm classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does European White-elm live?
What are the main threats to European White-elm?
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