Celtis

refers to a group of 60-70 deciduous tree species. It is also known as hackberries and nettle Trees. They are found in the warm regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The genus is present in the fossil record at least since the Miocene of Europe, and Paleocene of North America and eastern Asia.

Previously included either in the elm family (Ulmaceae) or a separate family, Celtidaceae, the APG III system places Celtis in an expanded hemp family (Cannabaceae). The generic name originated in Latin and was applied by Pliny the Elder to the unrelated Ziziphus lotus.

Description

Celtis species are generally medium-sized trees, reaching 10-25 m (35-80 ft) tall, rarely up to 40 m (130 ft) tall. The leaves are alternate, simple,

3-15 cm (1+1/4-6 in) long, ovate-acuminate, and evenly serrated margins. Diagnostically, Celtis can be very similar to trees in the Rosaceae and other rose motif families.^{[citation needed]}

Small flowers of this monoecious plant appear in early spring while the leaves are still developing. Male flowers are more long and fuzzy. Female flowers are greenish and more rounded.^{[citation needed]}

The fruit is a small drupe 6-10 mm (1/4–3/8 in) in diameter, edible in many species, with a dryish but sweet, sugary consistency, reminiscent of a date.^{[citation needed]}