Claussen's hackberry (Celtis clausseniana)

Iguana hackberry Cockspur
Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey / License

Celtis clausseniana: Characteristics of the Neotropical Liana

Often recognized in modern taxonomy as a synonym of Celtis iguanaea, Celtis clausseniana flourishes as a vigorous climbing shrub or scrambling liana. Indigenous to the neotropical regions of the Americas, this plant thrives in diverse habitats ranging from dry scrublands to humid tropical forests, frequently forming dense, thorny thickets.

Taxonomy

  • ∟ царство Plantae
  • ∟ division Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
  • ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
  • ∟ Angiosperms
  • ∟ mesangiosperms
  • ∟ eudicots
  • ∟ Superrosids
  • ∟ rosids
  • ∟ order Rosales
  • ∟ family Cannabaceae (Hemp family)
  • ∟ genus Celtis (Hackberry)
  • ∟ species Celtis clausseniana (Claussen's hackberry)

Living Pulse

Powered by iNaturalist

Morphology

This woody climber features long, trailing branches armed with stout, recurved stipular spines that aid in scrambling over neighboring vegetation. The leaves are ovate to elliptic, displaying serrated margins and the characteristic asymmetrical base typical of the genus. Its dense foliage provides significant cover in its natural environment.

Its inconspicuous yellowish-green flowers are small and clustered, eventually followed by fleshy, spherical drupes. These fruits ripen to a vivid yellow or bright orange color, containing a single hard seed surrounded by a sweet pulp.

Applications

Due to its dense and fiercely thorny growth habit, this plant is occasionally utilized to create living fences or natural barriers in rural and agricultural settings. The sweet, edible fruits are frequently foraged by local human populations and serve as a crucial food resource for birds, iguanas, and various small mammals.

Interesting facts

The sharp, recurved spines of this plant are highly effective climbing adaptations, allowing it to reach the canopy of surrounding trees in search of sunlight. The common moniker 'Iguana hackberry' stems from the observation that wild iguanas are particularly fond of resting within its branches and consuming its ripe fruits.

Geography of distribution

  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Colombia
  • Argentina

Sources

  • World Flora Online (WFO)
  • Tropicos

Technical Information

External Databases: GBIF, POWO, Tropicos

Смотрите также

Orange hackberry

Orange hackberry

Celtis aurantiaca

A deciduous tree species native to Korea, recognized by its large leaves with caudate-acuminate tips …

Read more →