Chinese Elm
Ulmus parvifolia
- Native to:
- China, Japan, Korea, Nansei-shoto, Taiwan, Vietnam
Ronnie Nijboer
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Ulmaceae
- Genus:
- Ulmus
- Species:
- Ulmus parvifolia
- USDA Symbol:
- ULPA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 1500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- green, red
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), fragile anacamptodes moth (Anacamptodes fragilaria), Green Cloverworm Moth (Hypena scabra), Io moth (Automeris io), Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: ⚠️Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) Butterflies:Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow, orange, red
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to regions with seasonal rainfall
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment when sown fresh in spring or fall.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI