- Celtis laevigata
Taxobox
name = "Celtis laevigata"
image_width = 240px
image_caption =
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo =Rosales
familia =Cannabaceae
genus = "Celtis "
species = "C. laevigata"
binomial = "Celtis laevigata"
binomial_authority ="Celtis laevigata", the Sugarberry, is a medium-sized
tree native toNorth America . It is also sometimes referred to as "Southern Hackberry" or, in the southern U.S., just "Hackberry".Sugarberry is easily confused with
Common Hackberry , ("Celtis occidentalis ") where the range overlaps. Sugarberry has narrower leaves which are smoother above. The species can also be distinguished by habitat: where the ranges overlap, Common Hackberry occurs primarily in upland areas, whereas Sugarberry occurs mainly in bottomland areas.Sugarberry's range extends throughout the southeastern U.S. and into Texas.
Ecology
Sugarberry occurs primarily along streams and in moist soils on flood plains. Its fruit are eaten by birds, helping to disperse the seeds. The leaves are eaten by a number of insects, for example
caterpillar s of theIo moth ("Automeris io").Sugarberry's leaf litter contains allelopathic chemicals which inhibit seed germination and growth in many other plant species.
Cultivation & Uses
Sugarberry mixed with hackberry supplies the lumber known as hackberry. Small amounts are used for dimension stock, veneer, and containers, but the main use of sugarberry wood is for furniture. The light-colored wood can be given a light- to medium-brown finish that in other woods must be achieved by bleaching. [http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_2/celtis/laevigata.htm] The wood is also used to produce sporting goods and plywood. [http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/Sugarberry/sugarber.htm]
Sugarberry is frequently planted as a shade-tree within its range. It is well-adapted to urban areas; its elm-like shape and warty bark make it an attractive landscape tree.
References
* M.A.K. Lodhi, E.L. Rice. "Allelopathic effects of Celtis laevigata". Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club. Vol. 98, No. 2, pg. 83-89. 1971.
External links
* [http://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/syllabus/factsheet.cfm?ID=275 Sugarberry Fact Sheet from Virginia Tech]
* [http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_2/celtis/laevigata.htm U.S. Forest Service Management Considerations for Celtis laevigata]
* [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233500332 Flora of North America: "Celtis laevigata"] [http://www.efloras.org/object_page.aspx?object_id=5853&flora_id=1 Range
]
* [http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/species/frame/celal.htm "Celtis laevigata" images at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu]
* [http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/Sugarberry/sugarber.htm Florida Forest Trees - Sugarberry (Celtis laevigata)]
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