Sugarberry, Mississippi Sugarberry, Mississippi hackberry, Sugar hackberry, Southern hackberry
Celtis laevigata

Family: Cannabaceae

What it is like

A deciduous tree. It grows 25 m tall. It is a broad column shape. The bark is pale grey and smooth. It has corky lenticels. The leaves are narrowly oval and 10 cm long by 4 cm wide. They have 3 veins. The leaves taper at the tip. There can be a few teeth. The leaves are pale and smooth. The male and female flowers are both small and green. They occur either singly or in small clusters in the axils of leaves. They are separate but on the same plant. The fruit is round and berry-like. They are orange-red and 8 mm across. They are edible.

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 native to N. Mexico and S. United States. It grows on moist flood plains and in woods. It can grow with part shade or full sun. It can grow with a pH of 4-8. It can grow in most soils. It can tolerate soils poor in nutrients. It can tolerate short periods of waterlogging and even some salt water flooding. It is reasonably drought tolerant. It is frost hardy. It grows best with a summer temperature of about 26°C. It can tolerate air pollution. It suits hardiness zones 6-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Bermuda, Mexico, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They are also used for desserts, sauces, jams and jellies. They can be used for wine. The seeds are also used as a food.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. Seed germinate best if they have cold treatment of 5°C for 2-3 months. Seeds should be planted into well composted soil but not overwatered. Plants can be grown from semi-hardwood cuttings. They need to be put into a well drained soil. They can also be grown by suckers.

It is reasonably fast growing. The first fruit are produced after 15 years. The fruit are best gathered after the first frost. They are harvested when fully ripe. Trees can live for 150 years.

Its other names

Local names

Mora blanca, Palo blanco

Synonyms

Celtis mississippiensis;