Wafer-ash Ptelea trifoliata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- TEE-lee-ah try-foh-lee-AY-tuh
- Description
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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.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Aurea'
- 'Glauca'
- 'Aurea'
- 'Aurea', 'Glauca'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Aurea'
- 'Glauca'
- 'Aurea'
- 'Aurea', 'Glauca'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Ptelea
- Species:
- trifoliata
- Family:
- Rutaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The seeds have historically been used as a hops substitute and the roots medicinally.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Layering
- Country Or Region Of 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.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- 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 To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Samara
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- 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.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 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.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Denticulate
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 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
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Bumpy
- Lenticels
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Older bark is gray and rough with lenticles, young bark is smooth and gray-brown
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Angular
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are terete, usually hairless and pungent
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Small groups
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Understory Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Problems:
- Malodorous
