Native Celtis
Origin of name
Family: CANNABACEAE
- Celtis derived from greek “keltis”
- paniculata meaning “with branched flower clusters“
Occurrence
A local plant of vine thickets, beach forest, monsoon forest and drier, more seasonal rainforest.
Requires free-draining soil in sun or part-shade. Tolerates some salt. Responds to extra water in the dry.
Appearance
A small tree (3-6m, taller in nature) with a spreading canopy of dark green leaves with 3 prominent veins. Small clusters of greenish, insignificant flowers (Aug-Sep) lead to black, ovoid fruit 6-9mm long.
An attractive feature tree when grown in the open.
Fruit attract birds. Food plant for caterpillars of Common Aeroplane & Tailed Emperor butterflies, & a rare beetle (Menippus darcyi). Milled for general purpose timber.
Image coming soon