Willdenowia 36
Willdenowia – Annals of the Botanic Garden and
Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem
ISSN 0511-9618
© 2006 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem.
Søndergaard, P. & Egli, B. R.: Zelkova abelicea (Ulmaceae)
in Crete: floristics, ecology, propagation and threats.
Willdenowia 36 (Special Issue): 317-322.
doi:10.3372/wi.36.36126
Abstract
Field work during twenty years in the mountains of Crete has
disclosed that the endemic deciduous tree Zelkova abelicea
is more abundant than hitherto reported. The number of mature and
old trees is estimated to reach several hundreds, while Z.
abelicea scrub browsed by sheep and goats comprises thousands of
individuals. The species is extremely resistant to browsing and
regenerates by suckers after forest fires. Z. abelicea
suckers freely and suckering is an efficient way of propagation in
the wild, while natural regeneration by seed was very rarely seen.
Root cuttings from all four mountain ranges of Crete were taken to
Denmark and 50 % successfully rooted. Best results were obtained
with root cuttings taken in late autumn. Branch cuttings of newly
matured shoots from young plants were rooted with good results when
taken after midsummer. Z. abelicea has been grown outdoors
in milder areas of Scandinavia during five years with only
insignificant frost damage after cold winters. Currently it is not
threatened with extinction but remains vulnerable.
Key words:
Greece, Kriti, flora, conservation, cultivation.
