Ptelea trifoliata
Hoptree, Water-ash
Rutaceae
ExpandHabitat
- native to eastern coast of United States
- hardy to zone 3
Habit and Form
- a small, deciduous tree or large shrub
- dense, rounded crown
- 15' to 20' tall
- frequently multistemmed and suckering
- medium texture
- slow growth rate
Summer Foliage
- alternate leaf arrangement
- pinnate, trifoliate, deciduous leaves
- leaves 2.5 to 5" long
- with middle leaflet largest, possibly with short petiole
- ovate to elliptical leaflet shape
- margins entire or with minor serrations
- shiny, dark green leaf color
- pungent when bruised
Autumn Foliage
- yellow-green fall color
Flowers
- small, greenish-white flowers
- fragrant
- flowers borne in terminal corymbs, 2" to 3" in diameter
- blooms in early June
Fruit
- circular-winged samara
- 1" in diameter
- green, changing to brownish
- persistent
Bark
- dark gray bark
- warty protrusions
- reddish-brown stems
Culture
- prefers well-drained soil
- full sun or shade
- moist soil
Landscape Use
- for naturalized areas
- for fragrant flowers
- massing or grouping
Liabilities
- none serious
- leaf spot and rust is possible
- spider mites possible in dry sites
ID Features
- buds are silky-hairy, not raised above the leaf scar
- no true terminal bud
- alternate leaf arrangement
- trifoliate leaves
- leaf scars are U-shaped with unusually straight inner margins
- leaves pungent when bruised
- circular, winged samara fruit
Propagation
- by cuttings
- by seed
Cultivars/Varieties
None are common, but a few exist that deserve greater use and availability.
subsp. polyadenia - Normally found in the mountains, this variant grows lower into a shrub. It features heavy fruit production.
'Aurea' - This is a yellow-leaved form with bright gold young leaves that fade to light yellow-green by the middle of summer.
'Glauca' - A distinct departure from the species, this selection offers blue-green foliage.