The elm cultivar Ulmus 'Gallica' (Chev.) was described as U. gallica by Auguste Chevalier in 'Les Ormes de France' (1942).[1] A probable hybrid by its suckering habit, it was said to be an elm of central and north-west France and the Paris area. The type tree was said by Déséglise to be seen in Bourges.

Description

A medium-sized suckering elm, not dome-shaped, with upright semi-fastigiate, spreading branching. Leaves largish, oval-elliptic (12–15 cm x 6–9 cm), leathery, asymmetric at base, abruptly acuminated, deep-toothed below the apex, sometimes tricuspidate, with short white-downy petioles.[2] Large samara (up to 2.3 x 1.8 cm); seed central.

Cultivation

Chevalier noted that the tree was sometimes planted in avenues, including the Avenue de Sceaux at Versailles.[3] The large-leaved elms of the Boulevard Saint-Michel, Paris, praised by William Robinson in his Parks and Gardens of Paris (1883), match the description of Chevalier's 'Gallica'.[4]

  • Elm avenue, Boulevard Saint-Michel, Paris, late 19th century
    Elm avenue, Boulevard Saint-Michel, Paris, late 19th century
  • Elm avenue, Boulevard Saint-Michel, Paris, early 20th century
    Elm avenue, Boulevard Saint-Michel, Paris, early 20th century

References

  1. ^ "Les Ormes de France" (PDF). Revue de botanique appliquée et d'agriculture coloniale. 22 (254): 448. 1942.
  2. ^ "Specimen - P06882780". Collection: Vascular plants (P). Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris (France). Sheet labelled Ulmus montana Smith, relabelled Ulmus gallica Chev.; specimen from Bourges, 1854
  3. ^ 'Les casernes de Versailles', cartophilie-viroflay.org
  4. ^ Robinson, William, The parks and gardens of Paris : considered in relation to the wants of other cities and of public and private gardens, being notes on a study of Paris gardens (London, 1883), p.158