Dwarf Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © jacob_chisausky (iNaturalist #20082013)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cannabaceae
- Genus:
- Celtis
- Species:
- Celtis occidentalis
- USDA Symbol:
- CEPU10
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 2500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- green
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Alurina Quaker (Orthosia alurina?), American lappet moth (Phyllodesma americana), Bagworm moth (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis), Cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), fall cankerworm (Alsophila pometaria), Fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae), Leopard moth (Zeuzera pyrina), Nephopterix celtidella, Obliquebanded leafroller (Choristoneura rosaceana), Phyllonorycter celtifoliella, Phyllonorycter celtisella, Puss caterpillar (Megalopyge opercularis), Red-shouldered dagger moth (Acronicta rubricoma), Spring cankerworm (Paleacrita vernata), White-marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma), Wild Cherry Sphinx (Sphinx drupiferarum), American snout butterfly (Libytheana carinenta), 🛑Bachman's snout butterfly (Libytheana bachmanii), Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma), Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis), Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis), Tawny Emperor (Asterocampa clyton)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Bagworm moth (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis), Banded Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris), Phyllonorycter celtifoliella, Phyllonorycter celtisella, Red-shouldered dagger moth (Acronicta rubricoma) Butterflies:American snout butterfly (Libytheana carinenta), Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, butterflies
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from the root crown after fire; moderately fire-tolerant due to thick bark on mature trees.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification; germination can be erratic and may take several weeks after stratification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI