Practical
Plants

Zelkova serrata

Japanese Zelkova

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Zelkova genus in the family Ulmaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Ulmaceae
Genus
Zelkova
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
25 m
Spread
10 m
Flower type
monoecious

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves - cooked[1][4].

Plant part
Leaves

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Wood - tough, hard, beautifully grained. Used for tool handles, construction, furniture etc[7][9][3].

Product or use
Wood

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Canopy

Environment

Range
E. Asia - E. China, Japan.
Habitat
Lowlands and mountains of C. and S. Japan[8]. Valleys, beside streams at elevations of 500 - 2000 metres in China[6].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Stored seed requires stratification and should be sown as early in the year as possible[10][5]. Germination rates are variable[10]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in almost any good soil, acid or alkaline, preferring a deep well-drained moist loam[2][5]. Prefers a moderately sheltered position[2]. Relatively shade tolerant[5]. A fast growing tree[5]. Dormant plants are very cold-tolerant, but they are sometimes damaged by late spring frosts when they are young[2]. Plants are susceptible to Dutch Elm Disease, but the beetle that is the vector of this disease rarely feeds on Zelkova so infestation is rare[2][5]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[5].

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Wilson. E. H. and Trollope. M. N. Corean Flora. Royal Asiatic Society 1918-00-00

    ↩

  4. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

    ↩

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  6. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩

  7. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  8. Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00

    ↩

  9. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  10. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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