Japanese Elm

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Japanese Elm

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Rosales, it is classified under the family Ulmaceae and the genus Ulmus. Specifically, the species Ulmus davidiana represents a distinct medicinal member of this taxonomic hierarchy.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across the northern reaches of Asia. Within the region of Siberia, it can be found specifically in Buryatiya and Chitа. Its range extends significantly into the Russian Far East, encompassing the Amur region. Furthermore, the species is well-established in the Khabarovsk territory. Finally, its presence is noted even further east in the Kuril Islands.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ulmus davidiana is defined by its preference for diverse, moisture-rich environments, where it typically thrives within forest ecosystems, mountainous regions, and along the riparian zones of rivers. As a resilient species, it occupies various successional stages in temperate woodlands, often serving as a structural component of the canopy or sub-canopy in hilly terrains. Its distribution is closely tied to the availability of well-drained yet moist soils, allowing it to colonize slopes and valleys where water availability is consistent. By establishing itself in these specific habitats, the plant plays a vital role in stabilizing soil and providing complex niches for local fauna within its montane and riverine surroundings.

Habitat :

forest, mountains, rivers

Life history

The life history of Ulmus davidiana is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a long-lived presence within its ecological niche. As a deciduous plant, it undergoes a seasonal cycle of foliage development and loss, shedding its leaves annually to enter a period of dormancy during colder periods. This synchronized shedding and regrowth cycle is a fundamental aspect of its survival strategy, regulating its metabolic activity in response to environmental fluctuations.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ulmus davidiana is characterized by its robust growth form, primarily manifesting as a large, self-supporting tree. As a woody species, it develops a sturdy, lignified structure capable of sustaining significant height and mass. This plant is classified as a terrestrial organism, growing in soil rather than inhabiting aquatic or semiaquatic environments, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. Lacking any climbing or vining tendencies, its structure is entirely self-supporting, relying on its own woody trunk and branch architecture for stability.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ulmus davidiana is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Its leaf morphology features a cordate form with distinct toothed margins, notably lacking both leaf thorns and leaf spines. The plant demonstrates significant variability in its leaf resource allocation, as evidenced by its Specific Leaf Area (SLA), which ranges from a minimum of 81.2601927 cm²/g to a maximum of 179.595828 cm²/g, with a mean value of 131.773252066667 cm²/g. Furthermore, the structural integrity of its woody tissues is reflected in a mean stem specific density (SSD) of 590 mg/cm³.

Leaf form :

cordate

Leaf margin :

toothed

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) max:

179.595828 cm²/g

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

131.773252066667 cm²/g

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) min:

81.2601927 cm²/g

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

590 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ulmus davidiana is characterized by a sexual process involving bisexual flowers. The flowering period typically commences in April and extends through June. Following pollination, the plant produces seeds with a specific mass profile; the individual seed mass ranges from a minimum of 0.0782 g to a maximum of 0.1 g, with an average seed mass of 0.0891 g. Regarding the movement of its progeny, the species utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on wind to distribute its seeds across the environment.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jun

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.1 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0891 g

Seed mass min:

0.0782 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ulmus davidiana has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, stem.

Root

1. Archives of pharmacal research
2. Phytochemistry

Stem

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Chemicals

Ulmus davidiana has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-Catechin.

(-)-Catechin

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Preparations

Ulmus davidiana has 1 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include root bark.

Root bark

1. Phytochemistry