#hoptree

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Monday 7 October 2019

These bunches of flattened, winged seeds provide autumn interest on the large, deciduous shrub or tree Ptelea trifoliata (hop tree, stinking ash, wafer ash). As the specific name indicates it has tripartite leaves which are aromatic, as are the star-shaped, pale green flowers as well as the bark.

Jill Raggett

[thors-daughtersthoughts]

Common hoptree

Ptelea trifoliata

Aka. Wafer ash, stinking ash, skunk bush, stinking prairie bush, shrubby trefoil, swamp dogwood

This tree is native to North America. They like alluvial thickets and rocky soil.

The Meskwaki and Menominee used hoptree root to strengthen other medicines. It was used to treat lung problems, fever, poor appetite, gastroenteritis, irritated mucous membranes. A tea from young leaves and shoots was a worm repellent. Leaves were used to treat wounds.

German immigrants used seeds to replace hops for beer. Butterflies enjoy this tree and giant swallowtail lay thier eggs on the tree.

Sources

Wildflower.org Ptelea trifoliata

Wikipedia Ptelea trifoliata

Peterson Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs of Eastern and Central North America 3rd edition by Steven Foster and James A Duke

[zapharatu]

I’ve been trying to learn the names of flora around the river park. I identified about 10 new species on my walk today. #vervain #lemonbeebalm #hoptree #turkeytanglefrogfruit #sweetclover #gomphrena (at Country Club Creek Trail) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBhUUI8FeSn/?igshid=yehhvmusve5s

[keithcurrypochy]

A Giant Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio cresphontes) lays an egg on a hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata).

The host plants are starting to leaf out and all that new growth is great food for caterpillars! Didn’t see many flowers so I am not sure what the adults are feeling on. 

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, FL