Common Hoptree
Ptelea trifoliata
Family: Rutaceae
Deciduous shrub, occasionally a tree, growing up to 20-25’ tall though often much shorter in our region, this plant is not to be confused either with the desert hopbush (Dodonoea viscosa) or true hops (Humulus spp). It is in the citrus family (Rutaceae) and though German immigrants in Texas during the 19th century used its seeds in place of hops in the beer-making process, we remind you that beer during that time was terrible, and being the frontier at the time, people would drink anything.
Treehoppers of the genus Enchenopa infest the branches, laying white-frothy masses of eggs on the branch undersides. Several ant species tend to the treehoppers, including Camponotus pennsylvanicus, Formica montana, and Formica subsericea. Several bee species have been documented visiting the flowers of wafer ash, including Agapostemon virescens, Andrena commoda, Andrena crataegi, Andrena cressonii, Apis mellifera, Bombus auricomus, Bombus bimaculatus, Bombus impatiens, Ceratina calcarata, Ceratina dupla, Ceratina mikmaqi, and Lasioglossum imitatum.
Photo by Ihor Olshanskyi, iNaturalist
Ptelea trifoliata on SEINET
This is an excellent wildlife plant. The fruits are better left for the birds. Larval host for the following species:
Western Giant Swallowtail (Heraclides rumiko)
Broad Banded Swallowtail (Heraclides pallas ssp. bajaensis)
Ruby-spotted Swallowtail (Heraclides anchisiades)
Two-Tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata)
Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella).
Used as a seasoning and as an herbal medicine for different ailments.
There are 3 species of Ptelea native to North America. This is the most common Ptelea. There are two other species, Ptelea crenulata which is endemic to the state of California, and Ptelea aptera which is native to Baja California, Norte. The genus, Ptelea, is the Greek name for elm, used because the fruits are similar; trifoliata means three-leaved.
Found in canyons, on shady and open slopes from 3,500-9,000 ft. widespread in North America, where it is found in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. It has a wide-ranging natural habitat. In the Southeastern United States it is most often found in rocky forests, in both moist and dry soil, often associated with calcareous or mafic substrates. In the Midwest, habitats include forests, savannas, prairies, glades, and sand dunes. In Arizona it is common in canyons.
Closeup of the flowers, with visitors, photo by Sam O'Dell, iNaturalist
Ptelea trifoliata makes a sizable shrub or small tree, photo by Eric Hough, iNaturalist
Ptelea crenulata tends to be a smaller plant, endemic to the state of California. Photo by dickrawson, iNaturalist
Ptelea aptera is a xeric species of Ptelea native to Baja California Norte, photo by Alma Delia Giles Guzmán, iNaturalist