[5] The alternate leaves are narrow and sharp-toothed, rugose above and tomentose below, 5–15 cm long and dark grey/green throughout the year, fading to a pale yellow before falling in autumn.

Celtis australis is supposed to have been the Lotus of the ancients, whose fruit Herodotus, Dioscorides, and Theophrastus describe as sweet, pleasant, and wholesome.

The plant prefers light well-drained (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, including those nutritionally poor; it can tolerate drought but not shade.

[9] In Islamic tradition, hackberry trees are considered holy and amulets made from their wood are employed to exorcise demons.

[11][12] Young leaves of Celtis australis from Northern Italy were found to contain the highest amounts of phenolics per gram dry weight.

This general trend of high amounts of phenolics in the early growing season and a fast decline affected both caffeic acid derivatives and flavonoids.