Zelkova × verschaffeltii

Zelkova × verschaffeltii (Dippel) G.Nicholson (cut-leaf zelkova) is a zelkova cultivar of hybrid origin. It was originally described in 1892 by Leopold Dippel from a cultivated plant as Zelkova japonica var. verschaffeltii, suggesting an eastern Asian origin. In 1896, George Nicholson raised it to species rank as Zelkova verschaffeltii, while its much closer similarity to Zelkova carpinifolia led Augustine Henry to suggest it might be a hybrid between Zelkova carpinifolia and Zelkova abelicea. More recent authors most widely regarded it as a cultivar, either not ascribed to any Zelkova species in particular, or placed under Z. carpinifolia with no suggestion of hybrid origin. Analysis of flavonoids has subsequently suggested that it is a hybrid between Zelkova carpinifolia and Zelkova serrata : "The chromatographic evidence would suggest that Z. X verschaffeltii is a hybrid between Z. carpinifolia and Z. serrata. Z. serrata was first introduced into England in 1861, and Z. verschaffelt......read more on Wikipedia.