Celtis iguanaea

Common Names

Iguana Hackberry, Celtidopsis Citrifolia, Mertensia Citrifolia, Mertensia Iguanea, Mertensia Rhamnoides, Mertensia Zizyphoides, Momisia Alnifolia, Momisia Anfractuosa, Momisia Brevifolia, Momisia Dichotoma, Momisia Ehrenbergiana, Momisia Membranacea, Momisia Pallida, Momisia Platycaulis, Momisia Spinifera, Momisia Spinosissima, Momisia Tarijensis, Momisia Triflora, Momisia Zizyphoides, Rhamnus Grangenos, Saurobroma Iguanense, Ziziphus Commutata, Ziziphus Iguanea, Celtis aculeata, Celtis aculeata var. laevigata, Celtis aculeata var. pubescens, Celtis aculeata var. serrata, Celtis alnifolia, Celtis anfractuosa, Celtis asperula, Celtis biflora, Celtis brevifolia, Celtis dichotoma, Celtis diffusa, Celtis ehrenbergiana, Celtis epiphylladena, Celtis gardneri, Celtis glabrata, Celtis glycycarpa, Celtis goudotii, Celtis hilariana, Celtis laevigata, Celtis membranacea, Celtis morifolia, Celtis pavonii, Celtis platycaulis, Celtis pubescens, Celtis pubescens var. pubescens, Celtis rhamnoides, Celtis spinosa, Celtis spinosissima, Celtis tournefortii var. glabrata, Celtis triflora, Celtis velutina, Celtis williamsii, Celtis zizyphoides, Mertensia aculeata, Momisia aculeata, Momisia iguanaea, Momisia laevigata, Momisia pubescens, Plagioceltis dichotoma, Rhamnus iguanaea

Summary

Iguana Hackberry is a scrambling shrub or small tree in Cannabaceae native to seasonally dry tropical biomes from S. Florida to the Caribbean and into Mexico and northern South America, with slender branches bearing small backward-curved spines, leathery leaves, white flowers, and orange drupes 8–12 mm in diameter.

In cultivation, it prefers bright direct sunlight and well-drained loamy soil, tolerates a range of soils, and is drought-tolerant; water when the soil is almost dry; fertilize with balanced 10-10-10 during the growing season and avoid over-fertilizing; repot every 2–3 years into a slightly larger pot with drainage; propagate via seeds or cuttings, with cuttings requiring a healthy stem, moist soil, and bright indirect light until roots establish; seeds are best sown when ripe with germination 28–42 days; prune during the dormant season to maintain shape. Uses include reforestation schemes and agroforestry due to fast growth, wildlife habitat, and a pollen source for honeybees.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

15-40 feet

Spread

6 ft

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun.

Soil Type

Well-draining, humus-rich moist soil with texture from sandy to loamy and pH slightly acidic to neutral

Soil Drainage

Well-draining soil

Soil pH

6.5-6.5, Slightly acidic to neutral

Bloom Color

Greenish-yellow, White

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Emerald green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Medium

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds and Cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, Birds, Other pollinators