Sugarberry
Celtis laevigata
- Native to:
- Bermuda, Mexico, United States
iNaturalist: © kimberlietx (iNaturalist #55936373)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cannabaceae
- Genus:
- Celtis
- Species:
- Celtis laevigata
- USDA Symbol:
- CELA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 2500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- green
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
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
Moths:Io moth (Automeris io), Phyllonorycter celtifoliella, Phyllonorycter celtisella, Red-shouldered dagger moth (Acronicta rubricoma) Butterflies:American snout butterfly (Libytheana carinenta), Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the root crown following fire. Thin bark makes it susceptible to fire damage but recovery is typically rapid.
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
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Warm stratification (60 days) followed by cold stratification (60-90 days) improves germination. Seeds may show erratic germination over extended periods.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
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