At 09:35 AM 10/22/99 +1000, Syd Curtis wrote:
>
>In considering the question of non-indigenous plants, the propensity of a
>species to spread into the wild is important.
>
>A few years ago Emeritus Professor Stone (Botany, University of Melbourne)
>sought my help in locating an area in suburban Brisbane which was the type
>locality for a species of moss in the group she was reviewing for the
>Australian Flora. No trouble to find the area (Council parkland along a
>creek) but it is now a pure stand of Chinese Elm (Celtis sinensis). Native
>flora has largely disappeared. We did not find the moss.
>
>This elm is a common weed in our (Hawthorne, Brisbane) garden.
>
>I occasionally see feral peach trees in the bush and it seems to me that
>where a seed discarded beside a road germinates and survives, eventually
>producing peaches, more peach plants will arise as animals distribute the
>seeds. But it spreads very slowly. The fruits are never carried very far,
>and very few actually succeed in germinating and surviving. Possibly a
>similar low success rate applies to Elm seeds, but they are myriad compared
>to peach stones and they are carried far and wide by birds.
>
>I have not noticed cabbages or apple trees become feral.
>
>Syd
>
>H Syd Curtis
>
G'day Syd ,
Just wanted to clear a point on the correct species of Elm , with-out
really wanting to extend an " off topic " discussion .
The Elms Nigel is refering to in Melbourne are the English or European Elm ,
Ulmus procera , these have been struck down through-out the Nthn Hemisphere
by a fungus , known as "dutch Elm disease " , but appear to be surviving
at this stage in the Sthn Hemisphere .
The " true " Chinese Elm is Ulmus parvifolia from China , and has a very
low chance of ever becoming feral in any way .
The Chinese Elm you refer to Celtis sinensis is known as Chinese Hackberry
and comes from China , it is a member of the Ulmaceae family , and
resembles the Elms in appearance , but a much smaller tree . This tree does
spread by birds taking the berries , but really only in degraded urban areas .
I can appreciate Nigels concerns , but must say I totally agree with Scott ,
bulldozers and chainsaws are the greatest threat to our Environment , and I
also would add my name in support of Elm conservation .
Regards John Mac ,
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