Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms original: Sancai Tuhui, a famous illustrated encyclopedia from the Ming Dynasty

Volume: Grasses and Trees, Part 9

Page 6

The Elm original: 楡 (yú), specifically the Siberian elm or Ulmus pumila, valued in historical China for its wood, edible bark, and "elm money" (seeds)

The following illustration depicts the elm tree in a scholarly garden setting. The woodcut shows the tree's distinctive silhouette next to ornamental rocks, though there is significant fading and loss of detail in the center of the print, particularly along the main trunk and the lower portion of the leaf canopy.

In traditional Chinese botanical works like this one, the elm is often praised for its utility. During lean years, the inner bark was ground into flour, and the flat, round seeds—resembling coins—were known as "elm money." The illustration here focuses on the tree's form, emphasizing its rugged bark and spreading branches, which are characteristic of the species as it appears in Northern Chinese landscapes.