Species › Plants › Common Hoptree

Common Hoptree

Ptelea trifoliata

UncommonPlant
Illustration of Common Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata)

Common Hoptree is a native small tree or shrub of rocky forest edges and canyon walls, with three-part leaves and distinctive flat, circular fruits that were used as a substitute for hops in early American beer making. It is the larval host for the giant swallowtail butterfly across the eastern and central United States.

Habitat
Rocky forest edges, canyon walls, and river bluffs in eastern and central North America
Diet
Larval host for giant swallowtail butterfly; flowers support native bees
How common
Uncommon

Best time to see a Common Hoptree

The best time to see a Common Hoptree is April–July, when about 67% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 14,516 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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