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Ptelea trifoliata mollis - Torr.&A.Gray.

Common Name Hop Tree
Family Rutaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards This species can cause photosensitization of the skin[274].
Habitats Moist places, rocky slopes, edges of woods[21], alluvial thickets and gravels[43].
Range Eastern N. America - North Carolina and Georgia to Indiana.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Ptelea trifoliata mollis Hop Tree


Ptelea trifoliata mollis Hop Tree

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Ptelea trifoliata mollis is a deciduous Tree growing to 6 m (19ft 8in).
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).
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

P. tomentosa.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw[2]. Eaten by young children[161, 257]. 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[159, 183]. The fruit is produced abundantly in Britain[61], though very little of it is fertile[11]. The fruit is about 25mm long[200].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

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Anthelmintic  Antibacterial  Antiperiodic  Malaria  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]. 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

Wood

Wood - hard, heavy, close grained[82, 149]. It weighs 43lb per cubic foot[235].

Special Uses

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]. This sub-species is the form that is eaten by children[161]. 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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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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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

Coming Soon

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 it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Euptelea pleiosperma Tree9.0 5-9  LMHSNM10 
Euptelea polyandraEupteleaTree8.0 6-7 MLMHSNM10 
Hemiptelea davidii Tree15.0 3-7  LMHSNM213
Ptelea baldwiniiCommon hoptreeShrub6.0 5-9  LMHSNM10 
Ptelea trifoliataHop Tree, Common hoptree, Pallid hoptreeTree6.0 4-8 SLMHSNM233

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

Torr.&A.Gray.

Botanical References

1143200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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