Climate Matching Map
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| climatematch-ulmus_parvifolia-nevada-20250219.pdf (1.12 MB) | 1.12 MB |
1. Question 1
Yes
1
Very High
Ulmus parvifolia is native to China, Korea and Japan. The species has several naturalized occurrences in South Africa, southwestern Australia, New Zealand, and the US (GBIF; Serviss and Serviss 2020).
Serviss, Brett E, and Tricia K Serviss. 2020. “Noteworthy Records of Pistacia Chinensis (Anacardiaceae) and Ulmus Parvifolia (Ulmaceae) in Arkansas”. Phytoneuron 85.
2023. “GBIF—the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, Ulmus Parvifolia”. https://www.gbif.org/species/5361869.
2. Question 2
Yes
2
Very High
Ulmus parvifolia is native to China, Korea and Japan. The species has several naturalized occurrences in South Africa, southwestern Australia, New Zealand, and the US (GBIF; Serviss and Serviss 2020). Most occurrences in the US are in the southeastern US, outside of the climate match area. There are scattered occurrences in the US within the climate matching area in Nevada, California, Arizona, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, and Washington. The earliest naturalization record in California is from 1966 (Medley and Thieret 1991). The only other occurrences within the climate matching area are isolated records in Russia and Mexico.
2023. “GBIF—the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, Ulmus Parvifolia”. https://www.gbif.org/species/5361869.
Serviss, Brett E, and Tricia K Serviss. 2020. “Noteworthy Records of Pistacia Chinensis (Anacardiaceae) and Ulmus Parvifolia (Ulmaceae) in Arkansas”. Phytoneuron 85.
Medley, Max E., and John W. Thieret. 1991. “ULMUS PARVIFOLIA (ULMACEAE) NATURALIZED IN KENTUCKY”. SIDA, Contributions to Botany 14: 610-13. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41961085.
3. Question 3
Yes
2
Medium
Ulmus parvifolia is reported invasive in the US in DC, NC, NE, NJ, VA, and WI but I could find no documentation of why the species is considered invasive in these states (USDA 2005; Soles 2024). I only found direct evidence of Ulmus parvifolia being listed as invasive in Virginia as part of a list of species likely to cause harm to the local economy, ecology, or human health (Soles 2024). Although this list was updated in 2024, I found no other documentation of Ulmus parvifolia being listed as invasive in Virginia. Ulmus parvifolia is usually found escaped in disturbed areas near urban or suburban settings (Medley and Thieret 1991; USDA 2000).
Medley, Max E., and John W. Thieret. 1991. “ULMUS PARVIFOLIA (ULMACEAE) NATURALIZED IN KENTUCKY”. SIDA, Contributions to Botany 14: 610-13. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41961085.
Soles, J. 2024. “NONNATIVE INVASIVE PLANTS OF ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA”. Arlington, Virginia. https://www.arlingtonva.us/files/sharedassets/public/v/3/environment/do….
USDA. 2005. “Weed of the Week.”
USDA. 2000. “USDA NRCS Plant Guide.”
4. Question 4
No
0
Medium
There is no evidence of Ulmus parvifolia being invasive in a similar climate. Usually Ulmus parvifolia is found escaped in disturbed areas near urban or suburban settings (Medley and Thieret 1991; USDA 2000). I found no documentation of Ulmus parvifolia invading wildlands in the climate matching areas. Most of the iNaturalist occurrences in Nevada appear to be horticultural/urban (iNaturalist).
Medley, Max E., and John W. Thieret. 1991. “ULMUS PARVIFOLIA (ULMACEAE) NATURALIZED IN KENTUCKY”. SIDA, Contributions to Botany 14: 610-13. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41961085.
USDA. 2000. “USDA NRCS Plant Guide.”
2021. “INaturalist Records for Potentilla Recta”. Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. https://www.inaturalist.org/.
5. Question 5
Yes
1
High
Ulmus pumila is considered invasive in several southwestern US states with reported occurrences that are within the climate matching area. Ulmus pumila is considered invasive in some parts of Arizona with several referenced invasive occurrences within the climate matching area (University of Arizona 2024). Ulmua pumila is listed as a Class C species in New Mexico, and many of the occurrences in New Mexico are within the climate matching area (New Mexico Department of Agriculture 2020). Ulmus pumila is considered invasive in Texas and several occurrences overlap with the climate matching area (Texas Invasives 2023).
“New Mexico Noxious Weed List Update”. 2020. New Mexico State University. https://nmdeptag.nmsu.edu/media/pdf/noxious-weed-memo-and-list-june-202….
2023. “Texas Invasives”. https://www.texasinvasives.org/plant_database/detail.php?symbol=ULPU.
“Siberian Elm”. 2024. University of Arizona. https://azinvasiveplants.arizona.edu/invasive-plant/siberian-elm.
6. Question 6
No
0
Very High
The bulk of Ulmus parvifolia occurrences are outside the climate matching region in less arid regions than Nevada such as South Africa, southwestern Australia, western China, and Japan (GBIF). The Ulmus parvifolia occurrences within the climate matching area are isolated to the Western US. And most of the iNaturalist occurrences in Nevada appear to be horticultural/urban (iNaturalist). When just looking at occurrences in the US, there are more occurrences outside the climate matching area, especially in the southeastern US (GBIF).
Secretariat, GBIF. 2016. “GBIF Backbone Taxonomy”. http://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c.
2021. “INaturalist Records for Potentilla Recta”. Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. https://www.inaturalist.org/.
7. Question 7
Yes
1
Medium
Ulmus parvifolia is a deciduous tree that reaches up to 25 meters tall and is likely to overtop the plant community given its size (Flora of North America). It is recommended as a shade and avenue tree in horticulture, which implicates its ability to shade out other plants (USDA 2000). Planted hedges of Ulmus parvifolia in a climate matching area near the Caspian Sea after decades of abandonment had a height of ~12 m, a mean trunk diameter of 1.3 m, and a crown width of ~2 m (Lepesko et al 2019). Ulmus parvifolia also has an aggressive root system that absorbs water, nutrients, and space (USDA 2000). Usually Ulmus parvifolia is found escaped in wet or disturbed areas near urban or suburban settings that are unlikely to consist of a native plant community in Nevada (Medley and Thieret 1991; USDA 2000; Jepson eFlora).
Barkworth, M., ed. 1729. “Flora of North America”. Utah State University. http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual.
Medley, Max E., and John W. Thieret. 1991. “ULMUS PARVIFOLIA (ULMACEAE) NATURALIZED IN KENTUCKY”. SIDA, Contributions to Botany 14: 610-13. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41961085.
“Jepson EFlora”. 2014. University of California-Berkeley. http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/IJM.html.
USDA. 2000. “USDA NRCS Plant Guide.”
Lepesko, VV, AI Belyaev, Yu N Pleskachev, SD Fomin, AM Pugacheva, and LP Rybashlykova. 2019. “Monitoring the State and Ecological Ameliorative Effect of Tree and Shrub Coulisse and Row Plantings on Pastures in the Arid Conditions of the Northern Caspian”. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 341. doi:10.1088/1755-1315/341/1/012103.
8. Question 8
No
0
Medium
Ulmus parvifolia is a deciduous tree that is up to 25 meters tall (Flora of North America). Ulmus parvifolia is unlikely to promote fire since it is often found along streams and there is no evidence of this species forming thickets or dominating the landscape (Jepson eFlora). In Tennessee Ulmus parvifolia is recommended for firewise homes in part due to its disease resistance (Mercker et al 2023).
Mercker, David, Carol Reese, and Wayne K Clatterbuck. 2023. “Landscaping Guidelines to Protect Your Home from Wildfire”. https://utia.tennessee.edu/publications/wp-content/uploads/sites/269/20….
“Jepson EFlora”. 2014. University of California-Berkeley. http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/IJM.html.
Barkworth, M., ed. 1729. “Flora of North America”. Utah State University. http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual.
9. Question 9
No
0
Medium
There is no evidence Ulmus parvifolia is a health risk to humans, animals, or fish. At most hay fever and increased asthma hospitalizations have been associated with Ulmus parvifolia pollen (Weber 2014). Ulmus parvifolia bark is used for several medicinal purposes. There is no evidence Ulmus parvifolia impacts grazing systems and this is unlikely since Ulmus parvifolia has not been documented in rangelands (Linex 2020). There is inconsistent anecdotal evidence that Ulmus parvifolia may be mildly toxic to dogs and cats when ingested; this was disregarded due to a lack of referenced evidence and insignificant toxicity impacts.
Weber, Richard. 2014. “Allergen of the Month - Chinese Elm”. Annals of Allergy Asthma and Immunology 113. https://www.annallergy.org/action/showPdf?pii=S1081-1206\%2814\%2900638-3.
Linex, Ricky. 2020. “The Elms of Texas”. Natural Resources Conservation Service. https://txmn.org/centraltexas/files/2020/06/Texas-Elms.pdf.
10. Question 10
No
0
Medium
It is unlikely Ulmus parvifolia would produce impenetrable thickets. Ulmus parvifolia is a deciduous tree that reaches up to 25 meters tall (Flora of North America). A few seedlings growing underneath may produce the beginning of a thicket similar to a population observed in the much more mesic Arkansas (Serviss and Serviss 2020). However, this is not documented in more arid regions with a climate match to Nevada (Lepesko et al 2019). It is unlikely to form thickets in the Nevada wildlands since Ulmus parvifolia is usually found escaped in wet or disturbed areas near urban or suburban settings (Jepson eFlora; Medley and Thieret 1991; USDA 2000).
Barkworth, M., ed. 1729. “Flora of North America”. Utah State University. http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual.
USDA. 2000. “USDA NRCS Plant Guide.”
Medley, Max E., and John W. Thieret. 1991. “ULMUS PARVIFOLIA (ULMACEAE) NATURALIZED IN KENTUCKY”. SIDA, Contributions to Botany 14: 610-13. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41961085.
Lepesko, VV, AI Belyaev, Yu N Pleskachev, SD Fomin, AM Pugacheva, and LP Rybashlykova. 2019. “Monitoring the State and Ecological Ameliorative Effect of Tree and Shrub Coulisse and Row Plantings on Pastures in the Arid Conditions of the Northern Caspian”. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 341. doi:10.1088/1755-1315/341/1/012103.
“Jepson EFlora”. 2014. University of California-Berkeley. http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/IJM.html.
Serviss, Brett E, and Tricia K Serviss. 2020. “Noteworthy Records of Pistacia Chinensis (Anacardiaceae) and Ulmus Parvifolia (Ulmaceae) in Arkansas”. Phytoneuron 85.
11. Question 11
No
0
Medium
There is limited documentation that Ulmus parvifolia develops root suckers at its base but this does not seem to be a method of spreading from its original location (USDA 2000).
USDA. 2000. “USDA NRCS Plant Guide.”
12. Question 12
No
0
Medium
There is no evidence Ulmus parvifolia spreads from detached fragments.
No references cited.
13. Question 13
Yes
1
High
Ulmus parvifolia is well documented reproducing from seed and this is it only known means of reproductively spreading (Murray 2023, USDA 2000). There is evidence that up to 80% of seeds may not be viable, but Ulmus parvifolia may still produce over 1,000 viable seeds given its large size (Storjohann and Whitcomb (1977) as cited in (Bonner and Karrfalt 2008)).
Murray, Louisa. 2023. “New South Wales Flora Online.”
USDA. 2000. “USDA NRCS Plant Guide.”
Bonner, Franklin T., and Robert P. Karrfalt. 2008. “The Woody Plant Seed Manual”. Agriculture Handbook 727. US Forest Service. https://www.fs.usda.gov/nsl/nsl_wpsm.html.
14. Question 14
Yes
1
Medium
Each samara contains a single seed (Jepson eFlora). A photo of Ulmus parvifolia in seed has well over 70 seeds visible for just a few branches (USDA 2000). Given that Ulmus parvifolia can reach up to 25 meters tall, it is likely that the tree produces well over 1,000 seeds per year (Jepson eFlora). There is evidence that up to 80% of Ulmus parvifolia seeds may not be viable (Storjohann and Whitcomb (1977) as cited in (Bonner and Karrfalt 2008)). It is possible Ulmus parvifolia could produce closer to 5,000 seeds given its large size, and still produce over 1,000 viable seeds.
“Jepson EFlora”. 2014. University of California-Berkeley. http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/IJM.html.
USDA. 2000. “USDA NRCS Plant Guide.”
Bonner, Franklin T., and Robert P. Karrfalt. 2008. “The Woody Plant Seed Manual”. Agriculture Handbook 727. US Forest Service. https://www.fs.usda.gov/nsl/nsl_wpsm.html.
15. Question 15
No
0
Medium
Ulmus parvifolia has no unusual germination requirements. If sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe, it usually germinates within a few days (Huxley 1992). Ulmus parvifolia seeds had a 74% germination rate after being soaked in distilled water for 24 hours (Dukic et al 2014). One to two months of stratification can improve germination rates (USDA 2000).
Despite there being no unusual germination requirements, Ulmus parvifolia has low seed viability. There is evidence that up to 80% of seeds may not be viable (Storjohann and Whitcomb (1977) as cited in (Bonner and Karrfalt 2008)). Ulmus parvifolia seed only has a viability period of 0.5 years (Bonner & Karrfalt, 2008). This would result in a germination rate of less than 25% in the next growing season.
Despite there being no unusual germination requirements, Ulmus parvifolia has low seed viability. There is evidence that up to 80% of seeds may not be viable (Storjohann and Whitcomb (1977) as cited in (Bonner and Karrfalt 2008)). Ulmus parvifolia seed only has a viability period of 0.5 years (Bonner & Karrfalt, 2008). This would result in a germination rate of less than 25% in the next growing season.
C, Matilda \DJUKI\, Danijela \DJUNISIJEVI\ C-BOJOVI\ C, and SLA\DJANA SAMUILOV. 2014. “THE INFLUENCE OF CADMIUM AND LEAD ON ULMUS PUMILA L. SEED GERMINATION AND EARLY SEEDLING GROWTH”. Archives of Biological Science 66: 253-59. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Danijela-Bojovic/publication/27483….
USDA. 2000. “USDA NRCS Plant Guide.”
Huxley, A. 1992. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. UK: MacMillan Press.
Bonner, Franklin T., and Robert P. Karrfalt. 2008. “The Woody Plant Seed Manual”. Agriculture Handbook 727. US Forest Service. https://www.fs.usda.gov/nsl/nsl_wpsm.html.
16. Question 16
Very Low
There is not enough evidence to answer this question. The growth rate of Chinese elm can be over 3 feet per year reaching 60 to 80 feet tall (USDA 2000). There has been a specimen found at 10 cm DBH with abundant fruit (Medley and Thieret 1991).
Medley, Max E., and John W. Thieret. 1991. “ULMUS PARVIFOLIA (ULMACEAE) NATURALIZED IN KENTUCKY”. SIDA, Contributions to Botany 14: 610-13. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41961085.
USDA. 2000. “USDA NRCS Plant Guide.”
17. Question 17
No
0
High
Ulmus parvifolia blooms for two months (August and September) in California (Calflora). This plant produces samaras for two months during September and October (USDA 2000).
Calflora. 2023. “CALFLORA Taxon Report - Ulmus Parvifolia.”
USDA. 2000. “USDA NRCS Plant Guide.”
18. Question 18
No
0
Medium
The Ulmus parvifolia seedbearing samara is elliptical, 10 mm long with a broad pale yellow wing enclosing the thickened, glabrous, not inflated seed (Murray 2023; Weber 2014). Samaras enable wind dispersal and are not associated with morphological adaptations suited to long distance dispersal by animals.
Weber, Richard. 2014. “Allergen of the Month - Chinese Elm”. Annals of Allergy Asthma and Immunology 113. https://www.annallergy.org/action/showPdf?pii=S1081-1206\%2814\%2900638-3.
Murray, Louisa. 2023. “New South Wales Flora Online.”
19. Question 19
Yes
1
Very High
Ulmus parvifolia fruits are samaras, which enable long distance dispersal by wind (Flora of North America). The seeds are mostly dispersed by the wind (USDA 2005). Seed are thickened and not inflated (Flora of North America). I found no evidence to support that Ulmus parvifolia seeds are dispersed by water.
Barkworth, M., ed. 1729. “Flora of North America”. Utah State University. http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual.
USDA. 2005. “Weed of the Week.”
20. Question 20
No
0
Medium
Ulmus parvifolia is popular in horticulture and is likely to come into contact with humans in a horticultural setting. Ulmus parvifolia seeds nearly fill the samara, are notched at apex and glabrous (Murray 2023). The seeds do not have a mechanism by which they would attach and disperse through human contact.
Murray, Louisa. 2023. “New South Wales Flora Online.”
Evaluation Notes
Question 7 was answered "Yes" with "Medium" confidence. Confidence was ranked "Medium" due to the lack of specific documentation of Ulmus parvifolia's effects on the plant community, the history of Ulmus pumila and parvifolia being confused for one another, and the question as to whether this species invades wildlands or is confined to disturbed and urban areas that are wetter than most Nevada wildland habitats.
Total PRE Score
10
19
69
