Smoothleaf Elm
Ulmus minor
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulmus_minor
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Rosales
Family
Ulmaceae
Genus
Ulmus
Smoothleaf Elm belongs to the family Ulmaceae, order Rosales, within the Magnoliopsida class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Smoothleaf Elm faces severe population declines primarily due to Dutch elm disease, a devastating fungal infection spread by bark beetles that has decimated elm populations across Europe and North America. Habitat loss from urbanization and agricultural expansion, combined with climate change impacts, further threaten remaining populations of this once-common species.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Smoothleaf Elm typically occurs in lowland deciduous and mixed forests, floodplains, and river valleys across temperate regions of Europe and western Asia. The species also grows in hedgerows, parklands, and urban environments, preferring well-drained soils in areas with moderate to high moisture availability.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Smoothleaf Elm faces severe population declines primarily due to Dutch elm disease, a devastating fungal infection spread by bark beetles that has decimated elm populations across Europe and North America. Habitat loss from urbanization and agricultural expansion, combined with climate change impacts, further threaten remaining populations of this once-common species.
Dutch elm disease (fungal pathogen)
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Climate change and drought stress
Invasive species competition
Urban development pressure
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | DDData Deficient | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | DDData Deficient | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Smoothleaf Elm (Ulmus minor). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/smoothleaf-elm