Celtis pallida

Torrey

in W. H. Emory, Rep. U.S. Mex. Bound. 2: 203. 1859.

Common names: Desert hackberry
Illustrated
Synonyms: Celtis spinosa var. pallida (Torrey) M. C. Johnston Momisia pallida (Torrey) Planchon
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 3.

Shrubs, to 3 m; crowns rounded. Bark gray, smooth. Branches spreading, flexuous, whitish gray, with thorns, puberulent; thorns single or in pairs, 3-25 mm. Leaf blade ovate to ovate-oblong, to 2-3 × 1.5-2 cm, thickish, margins entire or crenate-dentate, apex rounded to acute; surfaces scabrous. Inflorescences cymes, 3-5-flowered, longer than petiole, flowers mostly staminate on proximal branches, terminal flower bisexual. Drupes orange, yellow, or red, ovoid, 6-7 mm; pedicel 1-2 mm.


Phenology: Flowering late winter–spring (Mar–May).
Habitat: In deserts, canyons, mesas, washes, foothills, thickets, brushland, and grassland near gravelly or well-drained sandy soil
Elevation: 1000-1300 m

Distribution

V3 673-distribution-map.gif

Ariz., Fla., N.Mex., Tex., Mexico, Central America, South America (to n Argentina).

Discussion

Celtis pallida is closely related to C. iguanaea (Jacquin) Sargent from Mexico. Reports of C. iganaea from Florida and Texas are unconfirmed. Celtis iguanaea can be identified by its longer leaves (to 4 cm wide), small fruits (4-5 mm), and single thorns. Its fruits have acid, juicy pulp.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Celtis pallida"
Susan L. Sherman-Broyles +, William T. Barker +  and Leila M. Schulz +
Torrey +
Desert hackberry +
Ariz. +, Fla. +, N.Mex. +, Tex. +, Mexico +, Central America +  and South America (to n Argentina). +
1000-1300 m +
In deserts, canyons, mesas, washes, foothills, thickets, brushland, and grassland near gravelly or well-drained sandy soil +
Flowering late winter–spring (Mar–May). +
in W. H. Emory, Rep. U.S. Mex. Bound. +
Illustrated +
Celtis spinosa var. pallida +  and Momisia pallida +
Celtis pallida +
species +