FNPS Plant Database

Ptelea trifoliata

wafer-ash, common hoptree
  • Photo by: Rick Cantrell, Magnolia Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

wafer-ash, common hoptree

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Ptelea trifoliata

Family:

Rutaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

5-15 ft tall by 10-15 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

yellow

Phenology:

deciduous

Noted For:

Showy Fruits, Fall Color

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Understory tree, use as a background plant or screen.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Seed

Propagation:

Cuttings and seed.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Somewhat moist, no flooding -to- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam

Soil pH:

Circum-neutral

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Vouchered In:

Distribution
Vouchered
Not vouchered
Selected
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No county distribution is available for this plant yet.
Starting…
Map coded by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes (Paynes Prairie Chapter)

Ecology

Wildlife:

Caterpillars

Larval host for the giant swallowtail.





Carrion flies pollinate the flowers.

Native Habitats:

Floodplains, rich woodlands, upland mixed forest.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Seeds once used like hops in beer-brewing.

General Comments:

FNPS Plant Print

Citations:

Gilman, Edward F., and Dennis G. Watson. (1994). Ptelea trifoliata , Common Hoptree (Fact Sheet ST-530). ( https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/database/documents/pdf/tree_fact_sheets/ptetria.pdf ). Accessed 2026. Environmental Horticulture Department, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville.


Haehle, Robert G. and Joan Brookwell. (1999). Native Florida Plants. Gulf Publishing Company. Houston, TX.


Minno, Marc, and Maria Minno. (1999). Florida Butterfly Gardening: A Complete Guide to Attracting, Identifying, and Enjoying Butterflies. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Missouri Botanical Garden. (Undated). Ptelea trifoliata - Plant Finder. ( https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=286752 ). Accessed 2026. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO.


Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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