Hackberry (Celtis australis)

The hackberry tree is a very long-lived (there are examples of more than 600 years) and height above 20 meters, with ash-colored bark and flexible branches. The leaves fall during the winter to sprout in the spring, these are lanceolate and have jagged edges. The flowers are solitary in the axils of the leaves and they are small and not very remarkable. The fruit is small, the size of a pea and colors ranging from green to black through yellow. It breeds primarily in land of vineyards, oak and olive trees, shared by most of the country.

FLOWERING

Flowers in spring and fruits ripen in late summer and autumn. Interesting collection of fruits and leaves, although the former are preferred for medicinal use, especially when not yet ripe, as it matures loses some of its properties.

APPLICATIONS

The family Ulmaceae, it belongs to that species, produces neither alkaloids nor glucosides or essences, and therefore is not a large family of plants with medicinal uses, but rather the case of species that enjoy popular use. What they produce is tonic many subjects, located mainly in the cortex. The hackberry is well known for its fruit, considered primarily as exquisite delicacy by many birds and not a few children, because it is a fruit that does not harm or embarrassment if consumed in excess. The penalty is that it has a lot of bone and little meat, so it does not usually satisfy the voracious appetite of the young. The most appropriate use of this plant is as an astringent, diarrhea and bleeding, but without forgetting that the fruit should not be too ripe, it loses its main virtue. Another popular use of that enjoyed this fruit (even today remains) is to cut heavy menstrual periods.

ADMINISTRATION

cooking. It takes a handful of freshly plucked fruit from the tree and get to cook for a while, last time, it cools a bit and take in moderation. It is a good remedy for dysentery. This preparation can be done interchangeably with the leaves or fruit, and even with the two mixed.
Fruit oil. Freshly plucked from the tree, can be taken directly, resulting in a rich dish but little nutrition.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Ulmaceae
HABITAT: Rocky slopes
FLOWERING: Spring
PART USED: Fruits and leaves
CASTILIAN: Almezo, lotono
CATALAN: Lledoner
BASQUE: Almeza
GALICIAN: Lodoeiro

USES

Astringency, Antidiarrheal Leve, Mild antihaemorrhagic.