Common Name:

General Information

Celtis philippensis is a much-branched, evergreen shrub or a tree; it can grow 3 - 30 metres tall. The irregular, cylindrical bole is often rather short, though it can be unbranched for up to 20 metres, it can be 80 - 100cm in diameter with 4 - 5 sharp buttresses around 1 metre high[, , ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, food and source of wood. The tree is also harvested commercially for its wood, which is exported[]. An ornamental plant, it is sometimes grown to provide shade.
Celtis philippensis has a very large range, being found across three continents. The distribution of this species suggests it has a large population. Although the species may be threatened in some parts of its range by deforestation, this is only a minor threat. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - widespread, including Madagascar; E. Asia - southern China, Indian subcontinent, through southeast Asia to Australia, Solomon Island

Habitat

A canopy or subcanopy tree in lowland, groundwater and riverine forest[, ]. Semideciduous rain-forests; gallery forest; swamp forest; forest regrowth; savannah near forest; often locally abundant; at elevations from 229 - 1,320 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

An oil obtained from the seed is edible[].

Medicinal

The roots are used as a remedy for diarrhoea[].

Other Uses

The oil from the seed can be used for making lubricants and soap[].

The bark provides a useful fibre used for making ropes and paper[].

The heartwood is a light yellowish gray, with irregular ashy grayish or brownish streaks in larger trees; it is not distinctly demarcated from the sapwood. The texture is generally fine, though rather coarse in some trees; the grain close and somewhat crossed. The wood is moderately hard to hard; moderately heavy; tough; faily durable, not commonly being attacked by insects. It seasons well; is fairly easy to work; difficult to split. It is used in construction, for making poles, tool handles, beams, joists, rafters, cheap furniture, box lumber, etc[, , ].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a nursery seedbed in a sunny position[]. A high germination rate can be expected, with the seeds sprouting within 28 - 42 days. The seedlings grow away quickly[]..

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