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Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn
Celtis ehrenbergiana (Klotzsch) Liebm.
Desert hackberry, Spiny hackberry, Granjeno, Shiny hackberry, Huasteco
Ulmaceae (Elm Family)
Synonyms: Celtis spinosa var. pallida, Celtis pallida, Celtis tala var. pallida, Momisia pallida
USDA Symbol: CEEH
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
One of the few shrubs in the Celtis genus, this deciduous plant rarely reaches 10 ft. in height. Its numerous spiny branches are whitish gray. The bark is smooth and gray. Leaves are small, roundish, and somewhat rough. Clusters of small, fairly inconspicuous, white flowers are followed by shiny red, orange and yellow fruit ripening in fall but persisting long after leaf-fall.
The species name pallida can be attributed to the paleness of the branches.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous , Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Inflorescence: Axillary
Fruit Type: Drupe
Size Notes: 6-12
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit: Orange
Size Class: 6-12 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , GreenBloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AZ , FL , NM , TXNative Distribution: W. TX to AZ & n. Mex.
Native Habitat: Mesas; foothills; thickets
USDA Native Status: L48(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Drier, rocky soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam Medium Loam Clay Loam, Clay.
Conditions Comments: Good erosion control.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: AttractiveUse Wildlife: Valuable bird and honey plant. The dense growth makes excellent cover for Gambels quail and other birds. Nectar-insects, bees, butterflies, moths. Fruit-mammals, birds. Celtis ehrenbergiana is the host plant source for the occasional population explosions of American Snout Butterflies. During summer releafing at the end of extended droughts, adult American Snout populations can number in the billions in South Texas.
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: American Snout butterfly
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Celtis ehrenbergiana is a larval host and/or nectar source for:|
American Snout Butterfly (Libytheana carinenta)  Larval Host |
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Edible plants native to Austin, TX
August 05, 2009
Hello,
I am a chef from Buenos Aires Argentina visiting Austin, Texas and would like to learn about native, edible plants in the region.
Please let me know if there are any native, edible plants...
view the full question and answer
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
National Butterfly Center - Mission, TX
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-1059 Collected 2011-07-02 in Cameron County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterBibliography
Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.Bibref 995 - Native Landscaping from El Paso to L.A. (2000) Wasowski, S. and A. Wasowski
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender
Bibref 297 - Trees of Central Texas (1984) Vines, Robert A.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Celtis ehrenbergiana in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Celtis ehrenbergiana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Celtis ehrenbergiana
Metadata
Record Modified: 2011-07-31Research By: TWC Staff
