Aphananthe aspera

Aphananthe aspera Autumn (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to light shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 20m

Eventual Spread: 15m

Hardiness: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Cannabaceae

Aphananthe aspera Autumn Leaf (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Aphananthe aspera is a deciduous tree with a rounded to spreading crown. Its mid green leaves are ovate to elliptic with serrate margins, have a rough surface, up to 10cm long and 5cm across. Its branches are yellow/ green when young maturing to brown in their second year. Its trunk may achieve a diameter of up to 50cm. Its grey/ brown bark is longitudinally fissured. Its monoecious flowers are small, appear solitary in its leaf axils. Its green/ black fruit is a globose drupe and up to 13mm long.

Aphananthe aspera, commonly known as Muku Tree, is native to Japan, Korea, east and north China, Taiwan and Vietnam. In its native habitat it grows in lowlands and stream banks.

Aphananthe aspera Fruit (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Aphananthe is derived from the Greek afanhs meaning ‘unseen’ and anqe meaning ‘flower’. Aspera is from the Latin meaning ‘jagged’.

The landscape architect may find Aphananthe aspera useful as a small tree with attractive autumn leaf colour.

Aphananthe aspera Bark (08/11/2015, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Aphananthe aspera fruit are attractive to some mammals and birds.

Aphananthe aspera prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Aphananthe aspera requires little maintenance.



Landscape Architecture

Celtis caucasica

Celtis caucasica (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 15m

Eventual Spread: 10m

Hardiness: 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Cannabaceae

Celtis caucasica Fruit (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)

Celtis caucasica is a long lived deciduous tree with a rounded habit. Its dark green leaves are ovate to ovate-lancelate with serrate, up to 10cm long and 5cm broad. In autumn its leaves turn pale yellow before they fall. Its grey bark is smooth with occasional fissures. Its green flowers are hermaphroditic, appear singularly or in clusters and wind pollinated. Its fruit are a globose drupe which are initially yellow, maturing to red/ brown, up to 7mm across and appear in autumn.

Celtis caucasica, commonly known as the Caucasian Hackberry or Caucasian Nettle Tree, is native to south east Europe and the north Himalayas region. In its native habitat it grows in woodlands.

Celtis caucasica Leaf (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)

The etymological root of the binomial name Celtis is from the ancient Greek meaning ‘a tree with sweet fruit’. Caucasica is derived from the Latin meaning ‘from the Caucasus’.

The landscape architect may find Celtis caucasica useful as an attractive medium sized tree with attractive autumn colour. Once established this tree is drought tolerant. It is tolerant of urban pollution. This tree coppices well.

Celtis caucasica Bark (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)

Ecologically, Celtis caucasica berries are attractive to birds and mammals.

Celtis caucasica prefers moist, deep, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate poor soils.

Celtis caucasica requires little maintenance.

Celtis australis

Celtis australis (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 15m

Eventual Spread: 10m

Hardiness: 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Cannabaceae

Celtis australis Leaf (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)

Celtis australis is a deciduous tree with a rounded habit. Its dark green leaves are ovate to ovate-lancelate with serrate margins, up to 13cm long and 7cm broad. In autumn its leaves turn pale yellow before they fall. Its grey bark is smooth with occasional fissures. Its green flowers are hermaphrodite, appear singularly or in clusters and wind pollinated. Its fruit are a globose drupe which are initially yellow, maturing to purple/ black, up to 1cm across and appear in autumn.

Celtis australis Fruit (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)

Celtis australis, commonly known as the European Nettle Tree, Mediterranean Hackberry, Lote Tree or Honeyberry, is native to south Europe, North Africa and Asia Minor. In its native habitat it grows in woodlands. The fruit of this tree are edible.

The etymological root of the binomial name Celtis is from the ancient Greek meaning ‘a tree with sweet fruit’. Australis is derived from the Latin meaning’ from the Australian continent’, which is slightly confusing (reader feedback welcome).

Celtis australis Bark (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)

The landscape architect may find Celtis australis useful as an attractive medium sized tree with attractive autumn colour. Once established this tree is drought tolerant. It is tolerant of urban pollution.

Ecologically, Celtis australis berries are attractive to birds and mammals.

Celtis australis prefers moist, deep, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate poor soils.

Celtis australis requires little maintenance.