Zelkova abelicea, also known as Cretan zelkova, and on Crete proper as abelitsia (αμπελιτσιά), is a species that belongs to the genus Zelkova and is endemic to the Greek island of Crete. It is found in small numbers and is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN red list of endangered species. It is by far the most preferred wood for making the katsouna (κατσούνα), the famous traditional Cretan shepherd's versatile crook, for it is virtually indestructible.Today it is forbidden by law to use abelitsia for making a katsouna, since it is made of an entire young tree.