Photo by: Rick Cantrell, Magnolia Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

Hackberry

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Celtis occidentalis

Family:

Celtidaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

15-20 ft tall by to 10 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

deciduous

Noted For:

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Not typically grown but worth retaining if present as an understory tree.

Considerations:

Has a shallow root system that may prevent plants from growing under it.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Seed

Propagation:

Seed.

Light:

Part Sun, Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Somewhat moist, no flooding ---to--- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Lime Rock

Soil pH:

neutral to calcareous

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Caterpillars, Birds, Mammals

Larval host for hackberry emperor ( Asterocampa celtis ), and mourning cloak ( Nymphalis antiopa ) butterflies. Sole larval host plant for American snout ( Libytheana carineta ) in South Florida; also larval host for tawny emperor ( Asterocampa clyton ), question mark ( Polygonia interrogationis ) butterflies.





Wind pollinated.





 

Fruits are eaten by a number of birds and small mammals. 

Native Habitats:

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Used for furniture, athletic goods, boxes and crates, and plywood. The common name apparently was derived from hagberry, meaning marsh berry, a name used in Scotland for a cherry.

General Comments:

Further north, this can be a moderately large tree.