Common hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata) COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 9

Special Significance of the Species

In Canada, Ptelea trifoliata occurs almost entirely along the Lake Erie shoreline, where it is a component of the stabilizing vegetation.  It is one of two native species on which the larvae of the rare Giant Swallowtail butterfly feeds.

This species, with its aromatic and bitter substances, has had a long history of medicinal and economic usage, reviewed by Bailey (1960).  More recently, alkaloids with bactericidal and cytotoxic activity were isolated and identified from hop tree (Petit-Paly et al., 1989).  There are four citations for the use of the root bark, for lung problems, making other medicines more potent, to a sacred medicine with multiple uses, on the Native American Ethnobotany Database web site.

Common hoptree is occasionally available in the specialty horticultural trade.  It has long been appreciated in European gardens, since introduction from the American colonies in the 17th century.  While admired in England for its “picturesque habit” (Clarke and Taylor, 1976) and “fragrant flowers equal to the best honeysuckles” (Hillier, 1972), it has been maligned by such notable North American horticulturists as Wyman (1965).

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