Ontario Trees & Shrubs website

Hop Tree
Ptelea trifoliata

Other common names: Wafer Ash

Family: Rue Family (Rutaceae)

Distinctive features: Shrub

Flowers: Green/Brown

Height: 6 m (19 ft)

Habitat: Fields and Open Areas

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 170   

Native/Non-native: Native

Notes: Hop Tree is a a rare shrub of sand dunes along Lake Erie, which means it is very drought tolerant. It is also a host plant of the Giant Swallowtail. Because it is a rare plant in Ontario it should not be planted in the wild.

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: trifoliata: three-leaved


Photographs: 65 photographs available, of which 1 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Hop Tree (Ptelea trifoliata)
Photograph by Graham Buck


Range map for Hop Tree (Ptelea trifoliata)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)