lacebark elm

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• lacebark elm
• lacebark

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ulmus campestris var. chinensis
• Ulmus sieboldii f. shirasawana
• Ulmus parvifolia var. coreana
• Ulmus coreana var. cycloptera
• Ulmus sieboldii
• Planera parvifolia
• Ulmus parvifolia f. pendens
• Ulmus parvifolia var. lanceolata
• Ulmus coreana var. lanceolata
• Ulmus shirasawana
• Ulmus parvifolia f. pendens
• Ulmus chinensis
• Ulmus parvifolia var. cycloptera
• Ulmus coreana
• Ulmus parvifolia f. lanceolata
• Microptelea parvifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Rosales and is a member of the family Ulmaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Ulmus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning multiple continents and regions. In Southern Africa, it can be found within the Cape Provinces, the Free State, and the Northern Provinces. Its range extends across Central Asia, specifically within the borders of Uzbekistan. Furthermore, the species is well-established in the China South-Central region. These varied locations highlight the wide ecological adaptability of Ulmus parvifolia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ulmus parvifolia is characterized by its ability to thrive within specific altitudinal gradients, typically occupying mid-to-high elevation zones. This species is most commonly found within an elevational range spanning from a minimum of 800 m AMSL to a maximum of 1700 m AMSL. Within these parameters, the plant adapts to various environmental conditions, often colonizing temperate to subtropical forest margins and riparian zones where soil moisture and light availability are optimal for its growth patterns. Its distribution across these elevations allows it to interface with diverse microclimates, influencing local biodiversity and contributing to the structural complexity of its native habitats.

Elevational range max:

1700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

800 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Ulmus parvifolia is characterized by its nature as a perennial organism, allowing it to establish long-term presence within its ecosystem through successive growing seasons. As a deciduous species, its seasonal cycle is marked by the shedding of its foliage, a process that facilitates energy conservation and protection during colder or drier periods. Throughout its lifespan, the plant undergoes predictable vegetative cycles, transitioning from periods of active growth and leaf production to phases of dormancy, ensuring its survival and long-term structural development.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ulmus parvifolia is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a self-supporting tree. It is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant vertical development, with a height ranging from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 25 meters, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 18 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

25 m

Plant height mean:

18 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ulmus parvifolia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which facilitates carbon fixation through the standard Calvin cycle. The vegetative structures exhibit specific morphological dimensions, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.8 cm. These leaves are shaped in an ovate-lanceolate form and feature a distinct toothed margin, notably lacking both leaf thorns and leaf spines. Furthermore, the structural integrity of the plant is supported by a stem specific density (SSD) with a mean value of 898 mg/cm³, indicating a robust woody composition.

Leaf form :

ovate-lanceolate

Leaf length max:

0.8 cm

Leaf length min:

0.2 cm

Leaf margin :

toothed

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

898 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ulmus parvifolia is characterized by the production of specialized fruits and seeds designed for efficient dispersal. The fruit typically exhibits a mean length of 1.15 cm, ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 1.3 cm, with a mean width of 0.7 cm that fluctuates between 0.6 cm and a maximum of 0.8 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds are quite small, possessing a mean mass of approximately 0.00307 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.0028 g to a maximum of 0.00391 g. The plant utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning its reproductive units are primarily adapted to be carried by wind, though it may also interact with other dispersal mechanisms such as zoochory, autochory, hydrochory, or unspecialized methods to ensure colonization of new habitats.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Fruit length max:

1.3 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.15 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit width max:

0.8 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.7 cm

Fruit width min:

0.6 cm

Seed mass max:

0.00391 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0030716665 g

Seed mass min:

0.0028 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

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

Leaf

1. Plant signaling & behavior

Root

1. Journal of clinical medicine

Chemicals

Ulmus parvifolia has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, MMP, Sesquiterpenes, triterpenoids.

Flavonoids

1. Plant signaling & behavior

MMP

1. Journal of clinical medicine

Sesquiterpenes

1. Plant signaling & behavior

triterpenoids

1. Plant signaling & behavior

Activities

Ulmus parvifolia has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Plant signaling & behavior

Medicinal Uses

Ulmus parvifolia has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diarrhea, fever, inflammation, lipid peroxidation, wounds.

Most Reported Uses