Desert Hackberry, Spiny hackberry
Celtis pallida

Family: Cannabaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m high. It can form thickets. There are many branches and these have thorns at the base of the leaves. The leaves are simple and alternate. They are irregular shaped at the base and widest at the middle. There are teeth towards the tip. The leaves have a rough coarse upper surface. The flowers are small and pale green. They are in clusters at the base of younger leaves. The fruit are fleshy and yellow to orange. The fruit are 6-8 mm across. There is one large seed.

There are 70-100 Celtis species. They are mostly in the tropics. There are 8-10 species in tropical America. Also put in the family Ulmaceae.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in desert foothills. It is usually between 400-1,000 m altitude. It needs well drained soil. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina, Brazil, Central America, Mexico, North America, South America, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit can be eaten raw. They can also be dried. They can be used in pancakes, and cakes. They are used in jams and jellies.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It can be grown from cuttings and also by layering or cuttings. Plants should be pruned when dormant in winter.

Its other names

Local names

Granjeno

Synonyms

Celtis azcuruensis Parodi; Celtis bonplandiana Planch.; Celtis lancifolia (Wedd.) Miq.; and others