Exoniensis
Exoniensis (usually abbreviated Exon.) is the Latin adjectival form of Exonia, the Latin name for the city of Exeter in Devon, England. It therefore means "of Exeter".
Latin source
The Latin noun Exonia has as its genitive form Exoniae, meaning "of Exeter", which may also be expressed by the adjective Exoniensis, also meaning "of Exeter", which declines like tristis, triste, "sad". The usage may be compared with the common usage in Classical Latin literature of Carthago, genitive Carthaginis, the city of Carthage, with its adjectival form Carthaginiensis.
Usage
It is thus used in the modern age in formal ecclesiastical and academic Latin contexts, most commonly as the post-nominal suffix given to honorary and academic degrees from the University of Exeter and of even more ancient origin as the official signature of the Bishop of Exeter, who signs with his Christan or forename followed by the word Exon. In this way, it is comparable with "Oxon.", abbreviated from Oxoniensis, referring to the University of Oxford and "Cantab.", abbreviated from Cantabrigiensis, for University of Cambridge. A graduate of the University of Exeter is called an "Exonian," a mixture of the Latin noun with an English adjectival word ending, although other institutions also use this term.
Ulmus 'Exoniensis'
Ulmus 'Exoniensis', the 'Exeter Elm', was discovered near Exeter, England, in 1826, and propagated by the Ford nursery in that city. Traditionally believed to be a cultivar of the Wych Elm U. glabra, its fastigiate shape when young, upward-curving tracery, small samarae and leaves, late leaf-flush and late leaf-fall, taken with its south-west England provenance, suggest a link with the Cornish Elm, which shares these characteristics.
Description
The tree initially has an upright, columnar form, but later develops a large rounded crown and occasionally reaches 17 m in height. It is chiefly distinguished by its contorted leaves, < 11 cm long by 8 cm broad, which occasionally wrap around the branchlets and remain attached to the tree well into winter.
Pests and diseases
'Exoniensis' possesses a moderate resistance to Dutch elm disease, and consequently often featured in the Dutch elm breeding programme in association with the Field Elm U. minor and Himalayan Elm U. wallichiana.
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