Celtis

Celtis species are generally medium-sized trees, reaching tall, rarely up to tall. The leaves are alternate, simple, long, ovate-acuminate, and evenly serrated margins. Diagnostically, Celtis can be very similar to trees in the Rosaceae and other rose motif families. Small flowers of this monoecious plant appear in early spring while the leaves are still developing. Male flowers are longer and hairy. Female flowers are greenish and more rounded. The fruit is a small drupe in diameter, edible in many species, with a dryish but sweet, sugary consistency, reminiscent of a date. ==Taxonomy==

Previously included either in the elm family (Ulmaceae) or a separate family, Celtidaceae, the APG III system places Celtis in an expanded hemp family (Cannabaceae). Phylogeny Members of the genus are present in the fossil record as early as the Miocene of Europe, and Paleocene of North America and eastern Asia. Etymology The derivation of the name of this genus, Celtis, is from a Latin word for an unrelated plant, the "lotus tree" of North Africa. The word was applied to this taxon by Linnaeus for unknown reasons. Species , the following 68 species are accepted by Plants of the World Online. '', with four tepals and four stamens each Removed from genus • Trema cannabina (as C. amboinensis ) • Trema lamarckianum (as C. lamarckiana ) • Trema orientalis (as C. guineensis or C. orientalis ) • Trema tomentosa (as C. aspera or C. tomentosa ) ==Distribution and habitat==

The genus is widespread throughout tropical and temperate parts of the world, occurring on all continents except Antarctica. ==Ecology==

Some species, including common hackberry (C. occidentalis) and C. brasiliensis, are honey plants and a pollen source for honeybees of lesser importance. Lepidoptera Celtis species are used as food plants by the caterpillars of certain Lepidoptera. These include mainly brush-footed butterflies, most importantly the distinct genus Libythea (beak butterflies) and some Apaturinae (emperor butterflies): • Acytolepis puspa – common hedge blue, recorded on Chinese hackberry (C. sinensis) • Automeris io – Io moth, recorded on southern hackberry (C. laevigata) • Asterocampa celtis – hackberry butterfly or hackberry emperor • Libythea celtis – European beak • Libythea labdaca – African beak • Libythea lepita – common beak • Libythea myrrha – club beak, recorded on C. tetrandra • Libytheana carinenta – American snout or common snout butterfly • Nymphalis xanthomelas – scarce tortoiseshell, recorded on European hackberry (C. australis) • Sasakia charonda – great purple emperor, recorded on C. jessoensis and C. sinensis • A putative new taxon of the two-barred flasher (Astraptes fulgerator) cryptic species complex, provisionally called "CELT," has hitherto only been found on C. iguanaea. Pathogens The plant pathogenic basidiomycete fungus Perenniporia celtis was first described from a Celtis host plant. Habitat Loss Some species of Celtis are threatened by habitat destruction. ==Uses==

Several species are grown as ornamental trees, valued for their drought tolerance. They are a regular feature of arboreta and botanical gardens, particularly in North America. Chinese hackberry (C. sinensis) is suited for bonsai culture; a magnificent specimen in Daegu-myeon is one of the natural monuments of South Korea. The berries are generally edible when they ripen and fall. C. occidentalis fruit was used by the Omaha, eaten casually, as well as the Dakota people, who pounded them fine, seeds and all. The Pawnee used the pounded fruits in combination with fat and parched corn. The berries of C. douglasii are also edible, and were consumed by the Mescalero Apaches. Hackberry wood is sometimes used in cabinetry and woodworking. ==Gallery==

File:Celtis aetnensis.jpg|C. aetnensis with mature fruit File:Celtis-caucasica-fruit.JPG|Caucasian hackberry (C.caucasica) with immature fruit File:Celtis integrifolia.jpg|African hackberry (C.integrifolia) File:Celtis sinensis=Chinese Hackberry.jpg|Chinese hackberry (C.sinensis) File:Celtis australis-StSauveur-4925~2015 10 31.JPG|C. australis autumn leaves ==References==