Marcus, Joseph A.
Ptelea trifoliata L.
Wafer ash, Common hoptree, Hop tree
Rutaceae (Rue Family)
Aromatic
shrub or small
tree with a rounded crown. The trunk is slender and crooked, bearing interwoven, ascending branches.
Bark, crushed foliage, and twigs have a slightly lemonlike, unpleasant musky odor.
Trifoliate, deciduous leaves with leaflets on a
petiole up to 2 inches long, the terminal
leaflet up to 2 1/2 inches long,
obovate, tapering more gradually to the base than to the tip,
midrib of lateral leaflets off center. Leaves are dark-green in summer, turning yellow in fall. Flowers small, greenish white, in clusters among the leaves, appearing in April.
Fruit distinctive, waferlike
samara with broad wings, approximately 7/8 inch long by 3/4 inch wide.
This widespread species includes many varieties with leaflets of differing sizes and shapes. The common name refers to a reported use in earlier days of the bitter
fruit as a substitute for hops in brewing beer. The bitter
bark of the root, like other aromatic barks, has been used for home remedies. The northernmost New World representative of the Rue (Citrus) family.
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Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Tree Leaf Retention: Deciduous Leaf Arrangement: Alternate Leaf Complexity: Trifoliate Size Notes: 10-15
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Green
Size Class: 12-36 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Apr
Distribution
USA: AL , AZ , AR , CO , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , UT , VT , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: ON ,
QC Native Distribution: W. NY to c. MI, s.e. IA & s.e. KS, s. to FL & TX; introduced in n. Midwest states & New England
Native Habitat: Alluvial thickets; rocky slopes; gravelly places
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet , Moist , Dry
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Moist to dry, well-drained loams. Sandy, Medium Loam Sandy Loam, Clay Loam Clay, Limestone-based, Acid-based, Calcareous.
Conditions Comments: It is an attractive, tall
shrub or small understory
tree, for both moist conditions and dry rocky sites. If grown in full sun and cut back, wafer ash will be quite bushy. Sweet
nectar of this plant attracts many species of butterflies. All parts are aromatic. Prefers moist soil such as a watered garden or seep area.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Fruits ornamental, Blooms ornamental, Accent
tree or
shrub, Aromatic
Use Wildlife: Provides food and shelter for birds and mammals. Nectar-butterflies
Use Other: The fruits have been used in beer as a substitute for hops, hence the name hop-tree. (Kershaw)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Fragrant Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds , Butterflies
Larval Host: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Giant Swallowtail
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: High
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Ptelea trifoliata is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Last Update: 2009-04-23
