Common Name:

General Information

Celtis tournefortii is a deciduous shrub or a small tree that can grow up to 8 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and possibly as a source of materials.
Celtis tournefortii has a large range, however it is a generally rare and relict species and is scattered where found. There have been some localised declines as a result of habitat loss or conversion, as well as habitat degradation as a result of declines in traditional management The plant is currently classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Southeastern Europe - Italy, Ukraine, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Greece; W. Asia - Turkey, Azerbaijan, Irag. Iean

Habitat

Open rocky places; at elevations from 300 - 1,500 metres in Turkey[]. Bushy places in Greece and the Balkans[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	6.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Celtis tournefortii can be quite cold-hardy when growing in hot summer areas, able to tolerate temperatures falling to at least -10°c[]. However, Celtis species generally prefer hotter summers and more sunlight than are normally experienced in maritime regions of the temperate zone. In areas with cooler summers the plants often do not fully ripen their wood and are then very subject to die-back in the winter[, , ]. This species is more likely to thrive in areas with cooler summers than most other species in the genus[].
Succeeds in any reasonably good soil, preferring a good fertile well-drained loamy soil[, , ]. Succeeds on dry gravels and on sandy soils[]. Established plants are very drought resistant[].
Trees can be very long-lived, perhaps to 1,000 years[].
This species is closely related to Celtis glabrata[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, ]. Small[]. We have no further information, but the fruit is liable to consist of a thin, sweet, though dry and mealy flesh around a large seed[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

We have no specific information for this species, but most species in this genus yield a fine timber; their fibre-rich bark is utilized for the manufacture of ropes and paper; and an oil obtained from the seed is used for making soaps and lubricants[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[]. Stored seed is best given 2 - 3 months cold stratification and then sown late winter/early spring in a greenhouse[, ]. Germination rates are usually good, though the stored seed might take 12 months or more to germinate. The seed can be stored for up to 5 years[]. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots. The leaves of seedlings often have a lot of white patches without chlorophyll, this is normal and older plants produce normal green leaves. Grow the seedlings on in a cold frame for their first winter, and plant them out in the following late spring or early summer[]. Give them some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings