Is Celtis australis suffering graphiosis attacks?

In a recent excursion to the river Zarra (Western side of the province of Valencia), Drs. Rafael Currás and Emilio Laguna saw ill specimens of Celtis australis L., whose external aspect reminded the efects of the Graphiosis disease, caused by Ceratocystis ulmi on most species of the genus Ulmus -Elm Tree-. In the next months, the collaboration of several specialists will be requested to test the hypothesis of the Ceratocystis’ attacks, samplimg branches and leaves of the affected population.

Mixed forests of Populus sp. pl. and Celtis australis L., on the terraces bordering the river Zarra (Valencia, Spain) © E. Laguna 2007

The graphiosis have destroyed most part of the European populations of native species of Ulmus, and particularly on the best adapted species to Mediterranean conditions like Ulmus minor. Its extension to other species of Ulmaceae can signify a serious problem in terms of conservation, due that some species are threatened endemic plants (i.e. Zelkova sicula, endemic to Sicily). In the case of Celtis australis, the disease could put in peril the traditional handcrafting activity made with the branches of this species in several parts of the Mediterranean area, and its associated cultural landscapes.