European Hackberry, Southern Nettle tree
Celtis australis

Family: Cannabaceae

What it is like

A tree which grows 25 m tall. It loses its leaves during the year. The crown is rounded. The trunk is thick. The young branches are downy. The bark is smooth and grey. The leaves are oval or sword shaped. They are 15 cm long by 5 cm wide. They have a sharp point. There are teeth along the edge. The leaf stalk is short. The male and female flowers are small and greenish. They can occur singly or in small clusters in the axils of leaves. The fruit are small, round and berry-like. They are dark purple when ripe. They are 1 cm across. They are sweet and edible.

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

Where it is found

It grows in temperate places. It is native to S.W. Asia and S. Europe. It grows on warm, dry, rocky slopes. It can grow in arid soils. It does better in soils with lime. It can only tolerate light frosts. In the Indian Himalayas it grows between 1,300-1,500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Algeria, Andorra, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Croatia, Cyprus, Europe, France, Greece, Himalayas, India, Italy, Macedonia, Mediterranean (country/location of origin), Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, North Africa, Northeastern India, NW India, Pakistan, San Marino, SE Asia, Sicily, Spain, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw or cooked. They are also made into wine.

The fruit are especially eaten by children. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, oil

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. It can also be grown from suckers near the base and from cuttings or layering.

Its other names

Local names

Alatonero, Alatones, Almez, Anku, Batkar, Bremji, Brimij, Chilindronar, Citlik, Dardagan, Glinda, Hojaranzo, Honeyberry, Jaranzo, Kara çitlenbik, Kharik, Khark, Khirk, Khrikh, Konnarka, Koo, Koscela, Kostela, Kru, Ku, Limonero, Lote tree, Lotus berry, Mediterranean hackberry, Meyo, Palo blanco, Roku, Satsha, Stinkwood, Taagh, Teghzaz, Tagha, Tarawan, Thaghah

Synonyms

Celtis alpina Royle; Celtis eriocarpa Decne; Celtis excelsa Salisb.; Celtis kotschyana Steven; Celtis lutea Pers.; Celtis serrata Dippel;