Celtis australis
Nettle-tree, Nettle-Tree
(c) Eleftherios Katsillis, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Cannabaceae · Type: Tree · Not Native
Celtis australis (Nettle-tree) is a non-native California tree in the Cannabaceae family, recognized by large flexible leaves and large dark fruits.
Nettle-tree is a naturalized tree found in southern California coastal areas and the Sacramento Valley in riparian woodland at elevations of 15 to 500 meters. Flowering in March, this tree produces inconspicuous flowers leading to dark purple-brown to black fruits 10 to 12 millimeters in diameter. Growing to 20 meters tall with a flexible structure, the tree develops a distinctive branching pattern. Its leaves are narrowly elliptic to lance-shaped, 7 to 11 centimeters long, with serrated margins and a smooth upper surface, while the underside is soft and hairy with raised major veins. The tree's elongated fruit-bearing stems range from 11 to 31 millimeters long, supporting its dark, glossy fruits.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by large flexible leaves and large dark fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Riparian woodland
Elevation: 15-500 m
Outside California: southern Europe, southwestern Asia
Bloom period
Celtis australis blooms Mar.
How to tell it apart
vs Quercus: Celtis has net-veined leaves and berry-like drupes; Quercus has lobed leaves and acorns.; vs Populus: Celtis leaves have asymmetrical bases and produce drupes; Populus has symmetrical leaves and cotton-filled capsules.; vs Fraxinus: Celtis has simple unlobed leaves; Fraxinus has compound leaves with multiple leaflets.; vs Liquidambar: Celtis has simple oval leaves; Liquidambar has star-shaped lobed leaves.; vs Cannabis: Celtis is a woody tree with simple leaves; Cannabis is an herb with hand-shaped compound leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Celtis australis native to California?
No. Celtis australis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Celtis australis bloom?
Celtis australis blooms Mar.
What plant family does Celtis australis belong to?
Celtis australis is in the Cannabaceae family, genus Celtis.
What habitat does Celtis australis grow in?
Celtis australis grows in Riparian woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.