The cultivarUlmus 'Virens', the Kidbrook Elm, is an elm of unknown origin. It was first identified by Masters as U. virens in Hortus Duroverni 67, 1831, and later by Loudon in Arboretum et Fruticetum Britannicum, 3: 1376, 1838, as U. campestris (: minor) virens.[1] Described in some detail by Elwes & Henry (1913) as a form of Field Elm but classified as U. × hollandica by Green, the tree is not mentioned in Bean's classic works on British trees.[2]
The tree is distinguished by an upspreading crown, in mild winters retaining its foliage into December (Loudon called it "almost evergreen"). The leaves are oval, < 10 cm long by < 5 cm wide, long acuminate at the apex, and coarsely biserrate; the bark a distinctive red. The flowers are similar to those of Huntingdon Elm; the samarae are similar but smaller. Loudon thought the tree of possible Cornish origin, perhaps on account of its straight trunk, ascending branches and foliage, dark green until late in the year.
The Kidbrook Elm was reputed to have grown well on chalky soils, but its shoots were said to be vulnerable to autumn frosts.[3]Henry recalls seeing only one specimen, at Ashwell Bury near Baldock, which he found resembled the Huntingdon Elm in many respects. A specimen leaf-spray and samarae from the Ashwell Bury tree are held in the Kew Herbarium.[4] 'Virens' appeared in Thompson & Watson's Gardener's Assistant (London 1901),[5] but Henry reported it apparently "unknown in nurseries" at the time of writing his 1913 work.[6] The reasons for its disappearance at the height of the elm vogue are unknown.
Notable treesedit
Loudon reported a fine specimen in the Horticultural Society Garden, named U. montana nodosa (:'knotty').
Etymologyedit
The cultivar name 'Virens' is Latin for 'green'.[7] The tree was named for the village of Kidbrook in Sussex, England, but the association with that place remains obscure.
"Herbarium specimen - K000852678". The Herbarium Catalogue. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Sheet labelled U. nitens var. virens Henry from Ashwell Bury, 1910
December 18, 2023
ulmus, virens, cultivar, kidbrook, unknown, origin, first, identified, masters, virens, hortus, duroverni, 1831, later, loudon, arboretum, fruticetum, britannicum, 1376, 1838, campestris, minor, virens, described, some, detail, elwes, henry, 1913, form, field,. The cultivar Ulmus Virens the Kidbrook Elm is an elm of unknown origin It was first identified by Masters as U virens in Hortus Duroverni 67 1831 and later by Loudon in Arboretum et Fruticetum Britannicum 3 1376 1838 as U campestris minor virens 1 Described in some detail by Elwes amp Henry 1913 as a form of Field Elm but classified as U hollandica by Green the tree is not mentioned in Bean s classic works on British trees 2 Ulmus Virens GenusUlmusCultivar Virens OriginEngland Contents 1 Description 2 Pests and diseases 3 Cultivation 4 Notable trees 5 Etymology 6 Accessions 7 Synonymy 8 References 9 External linksDescription editThe tree is distinguished by an upspreading crown in mild winters retaining its foliage into December Loudon called it almost evergreen The leaves are oval lt 10 cm long by lt 5 cm wide long acuminate at the apex and coarsely biserrate the bark a distinctive red The flowers are similar to those of Huntingdon Elm the samarae are similar but smaller Loudon thought the tree of possible Cornish origin perhaps on account of its straight trunk ascending branches and foliage dark green until late in the year Pests and diseases edit Virens is susceptible to Dutch elm disease Cultivation editThe Kidbrook Elm was reputed to have grown well on chalky soils but its shoots were said to be vulnerable to autumn frosts 3 Henry recalls seeing only one specimen at Ashwell Bury near Baldock which he found resembled the Huntingdon Elm in many respects A specimen leaf spray and samarae from the Ashwell Bury tree are held in the Kew Herbarium 4 Virens appeared in Thompson amp Watson s Gardener s Assistant London 1901 5 but Henry reported it apparently unknown in nurseries at the time of writing his 1913 work 6 The reasons for its disappearance at the height of the elm vogue are unknown Notable trees editLoudon reported a fine specimen in the Horticultural Society Garden named U montana nodosa knotty Etymology editThe cultivar name Virens is Latin for green 7 The tree was named for the village of Kidbrook in Sussex England but the association with that place remains obscure Accessions editEuropeGrange Farm Arboretum Lincolnshire Acc no 1148 Synonymy editUlmus campestris virens Loudon Arboretum et Fruticetum Britannicum 3 1376 1838 Ulmus hollandica Virens Green 1 Ulmus virens Masters Hortus Duroverni 66 1831 References edit a b Green Peter Shaw 1964 Registration of cultivar names in Ulmus Arnoldia Arnold Arboretum Harvard University 24 6 8 41 80 Retrieved 16 February 2017 Bean W J 1981 Trees and shrubs hardy in Great Britain 7th edition Murray England Browne Daniel Jay 1846 The Trees of America Native and Foreign Harper p 480 Photograph of Ashwell Bury Virens leaf and samara apps kew org Robert Thompson amp William Watson The Gardener s Assistant London 1901 p 324 Elwes Henry John Henry Augustine 1913 The Trees of Great Britain amp Ireland Vol 7 p 1896 Royal Horticultural Society 2012 Latin for Gardeners Mitchell Beazley London ISBN 978 1845337315External links edit Herbarium specimen K000852678 The Herbarium Catalogue Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Sheet labelled U nitens var virens Henry from Ashwell Bury 1910 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ulmus 27Virens 27 amp oldid 1144550491, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
