Oriental Hackberry
Celtis tournefortii
- Native to:
- Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., Greece, Iran, Iraq, Kriti, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, NW. Balkan Pen., Sicilia, Transcaucasus, Türkiye
iNaturalist: © kr_greinwald (iNaturalist #251456375)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Cannabaceae
- Genus:
- Celtis
- Species:
- Celtis tournefortii
- USDA Symbol:
- CETO5
Growth Characteristics
- Height:
- 1500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr
- Bloom Colors:
- greenish
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- yellow
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained calcareous soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to rocky slopes and hillsides
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification for 2-3 months to break dormancy; germination occurs in spring.