Cretan zelkova  (Zelkova abelicea)

The Cretan zelkova is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List  (1).

The Cretan zelkova (Zelkova abelica) is a small to medium-sized tree (1), which is strongly branched (3), creating an expansive, bushy crown of leaves that extends down close to the ground. The small green leaves have rounded, serrated edges (4), and the tree’s petite flowers are scented (5).

The Cretan zelkova is endemic to the Greek island of Crete. Found in small numbers in 15 to 20 localities on the three main mountain massifs, particularly at the southeast corner of the Omalós Plain (1).

The Cretan zelkova is found on rocky mountain slopes (2), where the species dominates matorral habitat (areas of woody plants, shrubs or trees) (6).

Zelkova species have male and hermaphrodite flowers, which have both male and female reproductive organs (2). Since the flowers of the Cretan zelkova are scented, pollination is thought to be performed by insects, attracted by the scent. The fruit of trees belonging to the Ulmaceae family vary, and include nuts, samaras and drupes, all containing a single seed (7). The Cretan zelkova is known to be capable of suckering, a form of propagation where new shoots at the base or below ground grow out from the parent plant to produce an individual that is a clone of the parent (1).

Across Europe, the development of agriculture, and later urbanisation and industrialisation, has caused the modification of land use and the widespread destruction of relic forests (8). The few remaining in Crete that contained Cretan zelkova were then dramatically impacted by grazing goats (1). However, this threat has declined over the past 80 years and, fortunately, the species manages to regenerate well by suckering (1).

The Cretan zelkova is listed on Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive (9) and under Appendix I of the Bern Convention (10), which aims to conserve wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats (1).

This endangered plant is protected by law in Greece and is included in the Red Data Book on Rare and Threatened Plants of Greece. Ex-situ conservation measures in place for the Cretan zelkova include storage in a ‘gene bank’ and cultivation. However, in-situ measures are required to ensure the long-term survival of this species in the wild (1).

Find out more about the Cretan Zelkova:

• Tutin, T.G., Heywood, V.H., Burges, N.A., Valentine, D.H. & Walters D.A. (1993) Flora Europaea: Lycopodiaceae to Platanaceae Vol. 1. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.