Celtis glycycarpa

Mart.

Cannabaceae Edible: Fruit 626 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Deciduous tree with hermaphrodite flowers pollinated by bees. Grows in light sandy to medium loamy, well-drained soils and tolerates poor soil fertility. Adapts to mildly acidic through basic pH ranges. Requires full sun and cannot tolerate shade. Handles both dry and moist conditions with good drought tolerance.

Description

Edible Uses

The fruit is edible, though it likely offers very little flesh around the seed, and what flesh there is tends to be dry and mealy.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant.

Where It Grows

Argentina, Brazil, South America,

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in any reasonably good soil, preferring a good fertile well-drained loamy soil. Succeeds on dry gravels and on sandy soils. Established plants are very drought resistant. Trees prefer hotter summers and more sunlight than are normally experienced in Britain, they often do not fully ripen their wood when growing in this country and they are then very subject to die-back in winter. Trees can be very long-lived, perhaps to 1000 years. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed should be given 2–3 months of cold stratification before sowing in February or March in a greenhouse. Germination rates are usually good, though stored seed may take 12 months or more to germinate. Seed can be stored for up to 5 years. Prick seedlings out into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Seedling leaves often show white patches lacking chlorophyll — this is normal, and older plants produce fully green leaves. Grow seedlings on in a cold frame through their first winter, then plant out the following late spring or early summer, with some cold protection during their first winter outdoors. Cuttings can also be used.