Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Sapindales>Rutaceae>Ptelea trifoliata L.

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)

Hoptree, rare in North Carolina, is a large shrub or small tree of rocky areas, usually over basic rock.

Durham, NC 5/17/08.

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)

The three-parted leaves could be confused with those of American Bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia), which grows in moist areas, but hoptree leaves are alternate instead of opposite and have a pungent fragrance.

Durham, NC 5/17/08.

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)

Two varieties occur throughout North Carolina: trifoliata has glabrous leaves and twigs; var. mollis has soft dense pubescence on the twigs and leaf undersides. These may not be good varieties and are lumped in the latest version of Weakley's Flora.

Durham, NC 5/17/08.

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)

Durham, NC 5/17/08.

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)

Male flowers.

Durham, NC 5/17/08.

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)

Female flowers.

Durham, NC 5/17/08.

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)

Female flowers.

Durham, NC 5/17/08.

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)

Menard Co., TX 4/27/2011.

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)

Menard Co., TX 4/27/2011.

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)

Staminate flowers.

Menard Co., TX 4/27/2011.

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)

Menard Co., TX 4/27/2011.

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)

Austin, Travis Co., TX 4/29/2011.

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)

Austin, Travis Co., TX 4/29/2011.

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)

Austin, Travis Co., TX 4/29/2011.

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)

The common name comes from the hop-like fruits, which also have a pungent aroma when crushed.

Austin, Travis Co., TX 4/29/2011.

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)

Fruit detail.

Austin, Travis Co., TX 4/29/2011.

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)

Leaf undersides may be densely covered with white hairs or smooth, depending on the variety.

Menard Co., TX 4/27/2011.

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)

The USDA PLANTS database recognizes 4 subspecies of Hoptree — I'm not sure which one this is.

Austin, Travis Co., TX 4/29/2011.

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)
Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)
Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)

Bark detail.

This shrub is on the Duke campus on Towerview Drive at the top of the hill opposite Circuit Drive. This is the only known site in Durham County.

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)

Durham, NC 5/17/08.

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata) bark

Menard Co., TX 4/27/2011.

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata) bark

Menard Co., TX 4/27/2011.

Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata) bark

Menard Co., TX 4/27/2011.

More information:
Salisbury University
Trees of Alabama and the Southeast
Virginia Tech Dendrology

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides