Zelkova is a genus of six species of deciduous trees in the elm family Ulmaceae, native to southern Europe, and southwest and eastern Asia. They vary in size from shrubs (Z. sicula) to large trees up to 35 m tall (Z. carpinifolia).

The name Zelkova ultimately derives from the native name of Z. carpinifolia in one or more of the languages of the Caucasus, as shown by the Georgian name, (dzelkva).

Species

• Zelkova abelicea - Cretan Zelkova
• Zelkova carpinifolia - Caucasian Zelkova
• Zelkova serrata - Keaki or Japanese Zelkova
• Zelkova sicula - Sicilian Zelkova
• Zelkova sinica - Chinese Zelkova
• Zelkova schneideriana - Schneider's Zelkova

The Sicilian Zelkova Z. sicula, only discovered in 1991, is listed as an endangered species. The only known population comprises a small number of low shrubs suffering from severe overgrazing; the natural mature size of undamaged specimens is unknown.

Zelkova serrata and Z. carpinifolia are excellent ornamental trees.

The genus Zelkova was common throughout North America and Northern Europe as late as the Pliocene. However, extensive Pleistocene glaciation has confined the genus to its present range south of the Alps and Pyrenees, and in East Asia where only local glaciation occurred.

External links

• Zelkova sicula photos
• Survivors from the Tertiary
• Zelkova sicula at IUCN

Zelkova (Zelkova) | Zelkova du Japon | ケヤキ