Common Name:
desert hackberry, spiny hackberry
Family Name:
Ulmaceae
Botanical Name:
Celtis pallida
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Celtis pallida is an evergreen drought tolerant shrub that is native to South Texas and the Chihuahuan Desert (2). Desert hackberry can grow between 4 to 15 feet in height and six to 10 feet in width. Their small, rough, light-green leaves form simple pinnate arrangements and have parallel venation (3). Arranged along these zig-zagged branches are single or paired thorns (4). The desert hackberry’s thorns can grow to an inch in length making it an ideal shrub for screen and habitat (1). The small, bisexual, greenish-yellow flowers bloom in spring (5) and then after pollination C. pallida bears small (half an inch)(1), round, brilliant orange or occasionally red drupes. The drupes are fleshy like a peach or plum with a stone housed in side; reported to taste tart (3). Cactus wrens, green jays, coyotes, jackrabbits, and many other desert animals enjoy the desert hackberry’s fruit (2).
Compound:
Cel pal
Geographic Origin:
Sonoran Desert
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
C. pallida is native to Chihuahuan Desert and south Texas (1). This plant grows along washes, rocky, gravel slopes, Sonoran desert scrub, bajadas, and semi-desert grasslands at altitudes ranging from 1,000 and 500 to 4,000 feet (6).
Cultivation Notes:
Desert hackberry grows best in full sun and can tolerate varied soils, as long as they are well-drained. Succeeds in any reasonably good soil, preferring a good fertile well-drained loamy soil. Succeeds on dry gravels and on sandy soils (8). Established plants are very drought resistant. Trees prefer hotter summers and more sunlight than normal. Trees can be very long-lived, perhaps to 1000 years. A good bee plant. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed is best given two to three months cold stratification and then sown February/March in a greenhouse. Germination rates are usually good, though the stored seed might take 12 months or more to germinate. The seed can be stored for up to 5 years. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. The leaves of seedlings often have a lot of white patches without chlorophyll, this is normal and older plants produce normal green leaves (8). Grow the seedlings on in a cold frame for their first winter, and plant them out in the following late spring or early summer (8).
Ethnobotany:
The practical human uses of desert hackberry include use as fuel, and for making fence posts. Animals use C. pallida for habitat, protection and as a food source (6). The landscape value of the desert hackberry is border, barrier, windbreak, and erosion control.
Height:
11 - 15 feet
Width:
6 - 10 feet
Growth Rate:
Moderate Growing
Grow Season:
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
Orange
Function:
Screen
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
