Hoptree is a deciduous small tree or large shrub in the Rutaceae (citrus) family native to North Carolina. It can be found growing in areas with especially calcareous soils including rocky bluffs, open woodlands, and river bluffs in the Coastal Plain. The genus name Ptelea is derived from the Greek word for an elm tree, in reference to the flattened winged fruit that resembles that of elms. The species trifoliata is in reference to the three parted leaf. The common name hoptree is because the flat round fruits can be used as a substitute for hops in the brewing process and stinking ash comes from the malodorous fragrance of the flowers as well as bruised leaves and stems. This very adaptable low maintenance plant should be sited in a location with full to partial shade, though it tolerates full sun, and moist well drained soil. It is a slow to medium grower reaching 10 to 20 feet tall and wide with a bushy rounded habit that have branches low on the trunk. In the fall the three parted leaves turn a yellow green color. Use as a specimen or plant in small groups in an informal hedge or screen. Its ablity to withstand shade makes it a good choice for an understory planting. The thin papery fruits hang on even through winter providing a food source for birds and small mammals as well as some winter interest to the landscape. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Occasional issues with leaf spot.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
6-feet-12 feet; 12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Brown/Copper; Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical
Leaf margin
Crenate; Denticulate; Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Fragrant
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
2.5" to 4" inch long and 1"-2" across elliptical leaflets, alternate, entire to slightly toothed or wavy, trifoliate dark green glossy mostly hairless leaf with 2"-6" long petioles; yellow green fall color, malodorous when crushed
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Gold/Yellow; Green; White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Panicle
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Mostly a dioecious plant with a few perfect flowers. Small 1/4" inches across, greenish-white to greenish-yellow 4 to 5 petaled flowers unpleasantly fragrant flowers. In North Carolina, the flowers are appear from April to June.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Cream/Tan; Green
Fruit type
Samara
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
1-3 inches wide
Fruit detail
Interesting fruits found in pedulous clusters that resemble hops, circular 1" wide with a thin paper wing with reticulated veins all the way around and a cordate at the base. Each samara contains 2-3 seeds. In North Carolina, the fruits start out pale green and mature to tan and are appear in June, persisting through winter and providing interest.
Bark color
Light Brown; Light Gray
Bark detail
Older bark is gray and rough with lenticles, young bark is smooth and gray-brown
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Stems are terete, usually hairless and pungent
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
South East Canada to Central & Eastern U.S.A
Wildlife value
Birds and small mammals enjoy the fruits as a food source. Host plant to the larva of giant swallowtail butterfly (Papilio cresphontes). Though not common in NC, these caterpillars resemble bird droppings. Carrion flies pollinate the flowers.