  celtis, commonly known as hackberries, is a genus of about 60-70 species of deciduous trees widespread in warm temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, in southern europe, southern and eastern asia, and southern and central north america, south to central africa, and northern and central south america. the genus is present in the fossil record at least since the miocene of europe.keeler (1900): pp.249-252 previously included either in the elm family (ulmaceae) or a separate family, celtidaceae, the apg iii system places celtis in an expanded hemp family (cannabaceae). the generic name originated in latin and was applied by pliny the elder (23-79) to the unrelated ziziphus lotus. ==description== right|thumb|celtis occidentalis leaf celtis species are generally medium-sized trees, reaching  tall, rarely up to  tall. the leaves are alternate, simple,  long, ovate-acuminate, and evenly serrated margins. small monoecious flowers appear in early spring while the leaves are still developing. male flowers are longer and fuzzy. female flowers are greenish and more rounded. the fruit is a small drupe  in diameter, edible in many species, with a dryish but sweet, sugary consistency, reminiscent of a date. ==selected species== * celtis africana burm.f. &ndash; white stinkwood * celtis australis l. &ndash; european hackberry, european nettle tree or lote tree * celtis balansae planch. (new caledonia (australia)) * celtis biondii * [[celtis bras
Celtis