Sugarberry

Celtis laevigata

Sugarberry

Gaberlunzi (Richard Murphy)

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Cannabaceae
Genus:
Celtis
Species:
Celtis laevigata

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Tree
Height:
More than 40 ft
Light Requirements:
Part Shade
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
feb, mar, apr
Bloom Colors:
Green

Native Range

United States: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Carpenterworm Moth (Prionoxystus robiniae), Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), Io moth (Automeris io), Puss caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis), American snout butterfly (Libytheana carinenta), 🛑Bachman's snout butterfly (Libytheana bachmanii), Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis), Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Butterflies:Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis), Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
moist, fertile, well-drained loam
pH:
6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Commonly found in floodplains and riverbanks

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Seeds are imbibed in water for 2 days, then stratified in a refrigerator for 90-120 days or in a self-sealing plastic bag filled with moist vermiculite for 120 days.

Establishment: Seedlots have variable germination responses so seed is monitored for germination for up to six weeks. Seeds are collected during fall months or in August from trees growing in natural stands. There are regional variations in the distribution of C. laevigata v. reticulata.

Source: npn.rngr.net