Ulmus minor 'Hunnybunii pseudo-Stricta' explained

Ulmus minor 'Hunnybunii pseudo-Stricta'
Species:Ulmus minor
Cultivar:'Hunnybunii pseudo-Stricta'
Origin:England

The Field Elm cultivar Ulmus minor 'Hunnybunii pseudo-Stricta' was originally identified as U. nitens var. Hunnybunii pseudo-Stricta Moss by Moss[1] in The Cambridge British Flora (1914).[2] Moss regarded the tree as a "subvariety" of U. nitens var. 'Hunnybunii', with a narrower form.[2]

Description

Moss described 'Hunnybunii pseudo-Stricta' as "differing in the shorter internodes of the young twigs, which tend to remain in one plane, giving the trees a striking appearance". Samara and leaf drawings by E. W. Hunnybun, showing a narrower leaf than 'Hunnybunii', appear in The Cambridge British Flora (1914).[3] [4]

Pests and diseases

Though susceptible to Dutch Elm Disease, field elms produce suckers and usually survive in this form in their area of origin.

Cultivation

Moss in The Cambridge British Flora (1914) noted that 'Hunnybunii pseudo-Stricta' was sometimes propagated in error for Cornish Elm, Ulmus stricta – hence its name.[2] No mature specimens are known to survive.

Putative specimens

A non-Cornish 'Stricta'-type field elm cultivar with the marked unilateral 'Hunnybunii pseudo-Stricta' twig-pattern described by Moss, and with leaves matching Hunnybun's drawing, was planted in Warriston Cemetery, Edinburgh, in the early 20th century and survives there through sucker regrowth. Unlike Cornish elm, its leaves flush and fall early in the season.

Notes and References

  1. http://kiki.huh.harvard.edu/databases/botanist_search.php?id=1520 kiki.huh.harvard.edu
  2. Book: Moss. C. E.. Hunnybun. E. W.. The Cambridge British Flora. 1914. 90. 2 Text. 13 December 2017.
  3. Book: Moss. C. E.. Hunnybun. E. W.. The Cambridge British Flora. 1914. 195 (plate 92). 2 Plates. 13 December 2017.
  4. Book: Moss. C. E.. Hunnybun. E. W.. The Cambridge British Flora. 1914. 197 (plate 93). 2 Plates. 13 December 2017.