Celtis tenuifolia

Common Name(s):

Dwarf hackberry, Georgia hackberry, Small hackberry, Sugar hackberry, Upland hackberry

Categories:

Native Plants, Shrubs, Trees

Comment:

The Celtis tenuifolia is a small native deciduous tree or large shrub in the Cannabaceae family.  Its bark is gray and smooth with small warts.

Regions: Piedmont

Seasons of Interest:

     Bloom: Spring, April-May     Nut/Fruit/Seed:  Fall

Wildlife Value:  This plant is moderately resistant to damage from deer.  Host plant for the American Snout, Mourning Cloak, Question Mark, Hackberry Emperer and Tawny Emperer.  Three species of butterflies feed on the leaves as larvae: Hackberry Emperor, Tawny Emperor, and American Snout.  Many birds and small mammals eat the fruits.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant will not tolerate full shade.

 

You may also be intrested in: Celtis laevigata, Celtis occidentalis

Height:

6-36 ft.

Foliage:

The leaves of the Dwarf Hackberry are alternate, simple, elliptical, and ovate. They have broad, heavily toothed to smooth margins, and sand papery. They are similar to common hackberry (C. occidentalis) but has slightly narrower leaves that are more regularly toothed at the base. Dwarf Hackberry are cordate (heart-shaped) at the base, while common hackberry usually are not. The winter buds are brown and hairy, similar to those of other hackberries, but smaller, only 1 to 2 centimeters long. Terminal buds absent.

Flower:

The flowers of the Dwarf Hackberry are insignificant, monecious, occurring either singularly or in small clusters. This species is wind-pollinated and appears to be self-compatible. The fruit is a berry-like drupe, 5 to 8 millimeters in diameter, consisting of a single stone encased within a thin, sweet mesocarp. From green, it becomes a light orange, then a dark red, then purplish-brown. This edible drupe with smooth outer skin and a pulpy yellow inside is relished by small mammals and birds.

Habit:

Deciduous

Site:

Requires full sun. Dry, sandy soils.

Texture:

Coarse

Exposure:

Full sun, part shade

Fruit:

Drupes, red, orange brown

Growth Rate:

Slow

Tags:

small tree, host plant, drought tolerant, sweet fruit, deciuous, wildlife

NCCES plant id: 3186