Celtis sinensis
Chinese hackberry
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Family: Cannabaceae · Type: Tree · Not Native
Celtis sinensis (Chinese hackberry) is a non-native California tree in the Cannabaceae family, recognized by broad ovate leaves with crenate margins and small orange-brown fruits.
Chinese hackberry is a naturalized tree found in northern Sierra Nevada foothills, southern Central Valley, and southern California Coast Ranges in riparian woodlands and alkaline grasslands at elevations of 15 to 600 meters. Flowering from February to April, this tree produces small, inconspicuous flowers with subtle green to yellowish tones. Growing up to 20 meters tall with a flexible, spreading form, it develops a sturdy trunk and broad canopy. Its leaves are distinctive, with large ovate blades 30 to 100 millimeters long, featuring slightly toothed edges on the upper half and smooth surfaces with raised veins, with the underside showing delicate hairiness along the leaf veins. The tree produces small brown-orange fruits approximately 5 to 7 millimeters in diameter, borne on short 4 to 10 millimeter pedicels.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; distinguished by broad ovate leaves with crenate margins and small orange-brown fruits
Habitat and range
Habitat: Riparian woodland, alkaline grassland
Elevation: 15-600 m
Outside California: eastern Asia
Bloom period
Celtis sinensis blooms Feb-Apr.
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 sinensis native to California?
No. Celtis sinensis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Celtis sinensis bloom?
Celtis sinensis blooms Feb-Apr.
What plant family does Celtis sinensis belong to?
Celtis sinensis is in the Cannabaceae family, genus Celtis.
What habitat does Celtis sinensis grow in?
Celtis sinensis grows in Riparian woodland, alkaline grassland.
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.