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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Ptelea trifoliata is a deciduous Tree growing to 6 m (19ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Carrion flies.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses: Condiment

Fruit. A very bitter flavour, though it is eaten by young children[161]. The fruit is also used as a hop substitute when making beer and it is added to yeast to make it rise more quickly when making bread[2, 159, 183]. The fruit is produced abundantly in Britain[61], though very little of it is fertile[11]. The fruit is very thin and about 25mm long[200].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anthelmintic Antibacterial Antiperiodic Antirheumatic Malaria Miscellany Stomachic Tonic

The root-bark is anthelmintic, antibacterial, antiperiodic, stomachic and tonic[4, 21, 46, 82, 238]. It has been mixed with other medicines in order to give added potency[213, 222, 257]. It has a soothing influence on the mucous membranes and promotes the appetite, being tolerated when other tonics cannot be retained[4]. It is also taken in the treatment of intermittent fevers such as malaria, heartburn, roundworms, pinworms and poor digestion[238]. Externally it is applied to wounds[238]. The roots are harvested in the autumn, the bark peeled off and dried for later use[238]. The roots are a tonic, used in the treatment of asthmatic breathing, fevers, poor appetite etc[222]. The leaves are said to be useful in the treatment of wounds and also in the destruction of intestinal worms[213, 222].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Hedge Hedge Miscellany Wood

Sometimes used as a hedge plant in N. America[226]. Wood - hard, heavy, close grained[82, 149]. It weighs 51lb per cubic foot[227] but the tree does not grow large enough for commercial exploitation[229].

Special Uses

Hedge Hedge Scented Plants

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any fertile well-drained moisture retentive soil in full sun or light part day shade[11, 200]. The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. A very ornamental plant[50], it is slow-growing and short-lived in the wild[229]. The sub-species P. trifoliata mollis. Torr.&Gray. is the form that is eaten by children[161]. The leaves are aromatic[188]. All parts of the plant emit a disagreeable odour[227]. The flowers are especially pungent and are pollinated by carrion flies[229]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[200]. Stored seed requires 3 months cold stratification at 5°c and should be sown as early as possible in the year[113]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Very little of the seed produced in Britain is viable[11]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[113]. Layering.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Ontario (southeast)), United States (Indiana, Michigan (south), New Jersey, New York (west), Ohio, Pennsylvania (northwest & southeast), West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa (southeast), Kansas (southeast), Missouri, Nebraska (southeast & north-central), Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Colorado, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, District of Columbia, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Utah (south)), Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Durango, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Oaxaca, Puebla).

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Euptelea pleiosperma		Tree	9.0	5-9		LMH	SN	M	1	0
Euptelea polyandra	Euptelea	Tree	8.0	6-7	M	LMH	SN	M	1	0
Hemiptelea davidii		Tree	15.0	3-7		LMH	SN	M	2	1	3
Ptelea baldwinii	Common hoptree	Shrub	6.0	5-9		LMH	SN	M	1	0
Ptelea trifoliata mollis	Hop Tree	Tree	6.0	4-8		LMH	SN	M	2	3	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Ptelea trifoliata - L.