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| Leaf Photo by: Vern Wilkins |
Bark Photo by: Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service |
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| Fruit Photo by: Sean Fox |
Tree Photo by: Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service |
In the past, the dried winged fruits have been used as a substitute for hops in the process of brewing beer.
Common hoptree is actually rare in Canada, though plentiful in the eastern United States. It is only known to occur in southwestern Ontario on the north shore of Lake Erie. It is listed as Threatened and is protected by the Endangered Species Act, 2007.
Common hoptree is recognizable by its compound leaves made of 3 dark green leaflets on a central stalk. When bruised, they smell like citrus. The flowers appear in small greenish-white clusters but are noticed for their fragrance. The wafer-like fruits resemble large elm seeds, and may persist into winter.
These small trees prefer sandy shorelines and the edges of woodlands. Small seedlings may be confused for poison ivy.
Size: Up to 8 m tall
Moisture: Moist to dry
Shade: Prefers full sun, tolerates partial shade
Soil: Requires well-drained soils, sand or loam best
Planting Tip: If you are interested in planting common hoptree as part of the Recovery Strategy, contact your local Ministry of Natural Resources Species at Risk biologist. More tips...
