Lotus berry (Celtis australis)
Lotus berry (Celtis
australis)
The lotus berry is a charming delicate tree with slender nettle-like foliage.
From the south of Europe, the
lotus berry is used to plenty of sunshine, even so it should be fine in all but the coldest parts of the UK. It likes loamy soil and will probably fruit better with some shelter from strong winds.
Said by some to be the food of the legendary 'Lotus eaters' of antiquity, the fruit is about 12 mm, reddish/brown and very sweet.