Hackberry

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Hackberry
Celtis caucasica with immature fruit
Celtis caucasica with immature fruit
Plant Info
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Rosales
Family: Cannabaceae
Genus: Celtis
L.

Species
See text

Hackberry Celtis is a genus of about 60-70 species of deciduous trees widespread in warm temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, in southern Europe, southern and eastern Asia, and southern and central North America, and south to central Africa. They are generally medium-sized trees, reaching 10-25 m tall, rarely up to 40 m tall.

Previously included either in the elm family Ulmaceae or their own family the Celtidaceae, genetic analysis by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group has shown they are best placed in the hemp family Cannabaceae.

The leaves are alternate, simple, 3-15 cm long, ovate-acuminate, and evenly serrated margins.

Small monoecious flowers appear in early spring while the leaves are still developing. Male flowers are longer and fuzzy. Female flowers are greenish and more rounded.

The fruit is a small drupe 6-10 mm diameter, edible in many species, with a dryish but sweet, sugary consistency, reminiscent of a date.

Several species are grown as ornamental trees, valued for their drought tolerance.

Selected species

External links