Celtis pallida     
Desert hackberry   
Ulmacea Family     

Form: irregular ('odd shaped') shrub; sometimes trained to very small tree
Seasonality: semi evergreen

Celtis pallida

Size: 10-16ft, spread 8-10ft; moderate growth rate
Leaves: small, oval, bright green, sparse, dentate margins
Flowers: greenish yellow, not ornamental
Fruit: tiny round fruit (1/2 size of pea), bright orange color; much loved by birds
Stems/Trunks: gray-green stems; heavily armed, difficult to work around
Range/Origin: Sonoran deserts; found naturally in foothills around Tucson
Hardiness: to low teens

LANDSCAPE VALUE:

• inpenetrable barrier plant
• attracts wildlife (birds)

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Exposure: full sun to part shade; found naturally in shade of mesquites
• Water: natural rainfall; better with infrequent but regular irrigation (once per month or once per two months)
• Soil: tolerant
• Propagation: seed
• Maintenance: minimal; dangerous to work around

leaves and thorns on Celtis pallida

NOTES:

found naturally in washes

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This page was first created July 20, 2001 and last modified May 31, 2004.

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Web page design and photographs by Toni Moore, Master Gardener
email to: tmoore1@flash.net

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