Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)

Family: Ulmaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Bloom Color: Green. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded, Vase.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Berries, Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet and pleasant tasting, they can be eaten out of hand or can be used for making jellies, preserves etc. — Very sweet and pleasant tasting, they can be eaten out of hand or can be used for making jellies, preserves etc.; The fruit is often produced abundantly in Britain, it is about the size of a blackcurrant, but there is very little flesh surrounding a large seed and it is therefore a very fiddly crop.; The fruit is dark orange to purple- or blue-black when fully ripe, usually about 7-11mm in diameter, though occasionally up to 20mm.; The flesh is dry and mealy but with a pleasant sweet taste.

Habitat & North American Range

Dry to moist and rich woods, river banks, rocky barrens etc. Frequently found on limestone soils. (Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)