Celtis reticulata
Netleaf hackberry
(c) Jacob Malcom, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Jacob Malcom · licence
Family: Cannabaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Celtis reticulata (Netleaf hackberry) is a native California shrub in the Cannabaceae family, recognized by elevation, native status, thick rigid triangular leaves.
Netleaf hackberry is a California native shrub found in southern Sierra Nevada Foothills, Tehachapi, San Bernardino Mountains, Peninsular Ranges, southern Sierra Nevada, and eastern Desert Mountains in dry slopes and intermittent watercourses at elevations of 500 to 1,700 meters. Flowering from April to May, this plant produces small flowers in compact clusters with subtle green to yellow tones. Growing as a shrub or small tree 3 to 5 meters tall with multiple stems and a dense, rounded form, it develops rigid branches with rough texture. Its leaves are distinctively thick and triangular-ovate, typically 30 to 74 millimeters long with serrated edges featuring 7 to 32 teeth per side, and rough upper surfaces with hairy veins underneath. The fruit is a small purple-brown drupe approximately 7 to 8 millimeters in diameter, hanging on slender 6 to 10 millimeter pedicels.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by elevation, native status, thick rigid triangular leaves
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry slopes, intermittent watercourses, in gravelly soil
Elevation: 500-1700 m
California counties: Kern, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Inyo, Yolo, Sonoma
Outside California: to Washington, Kansas, Texas
Bloom period
Celtis reticulata blooms Apr-May.
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 reticulata native to California?
Yes. Celtis reticulata is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Celtis reticulata bloom?
Celtis reticulata blooms Apr-May.
Where in California does Celtis reticulata grow?
Celtis reticulata occurs in Kern, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Inyo, Yolo, Sonoma, at elevations of 500-1700 m.
What plant family does Celtis reticulata belong to?
Celtis reticulata is in the Cannabaceae family, genus Celtis.
What habitat does Celtis reticulata grow in?
Celtis reticulata grows in dry slopes, intermittent watercourses, in gravelly soil.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.