Ptelea trifoliata
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID644000a2cef7f945844719 |
| Scientific name | Ptelea trifoliata |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Sp. Pl. : 118 (1753) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Among North American Indigenous groups, hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata) has been taken as a warming, bitter infusion or decoction for fevers, colds, chills, and gastrointestinal complaints. The Cherokee and Iroquois used a bark or root decoction to break fevers and ease chills; the Meskwaki treated fever with a bark or root infusion as well (Moerman, Native American Ethnobotany). Frontier settlers learned to use the bitter bark and young branches as a stomachic tea, a tonic said to stimulate appetite and digestion (Kindscher, Medicinal Wild Plants of the Prairie). For digestive upset, the Cherokee employed a bark or root decoction for diarrhea and colicky pains, and the Iroquois drank bark or root preparations for stomachache (Moerman, Native American Ethnobotany). The same groups also used crushed leaf or leaf-and-bark poultices on minor wounds and skin irritations (Moerman, Native American Ethnobotany).
To make a fever‑and‑digestive decoction: finely chop or lightly crush 5–6 g (about 1–1½ tsp) of dried Ptelea trifoliata root or bark and simmer it in about 240 mL (1 cup) of water for 15–20 minutes; cool, strain, and take small doses of roughly 30–60 mL (2–4 tbsp) up to three times per day while symptoms persist. This bitterness cautions limited, short‑term use; it should be avoided in pregnancy and in people sensitive to coumarins or with known anticoagulant therapy.
The species contains well‑studied coumarins (umbelliferone, scopoletin, psoralen), limonoids, and flavonoids; the coumarins are the most characteristic chemistry and plausibly account for bitter stimulant effects and some antimicrobial actions (Kindscher, Medicinal Wild Plants of the Prairie; Moerman, Native American Ethnobotany).
While interest in Ptelea trifoliata remains modest, bitter hoptree bark is still discussed as a historical stomachic tonic and featured in ethnobotanical reviews and native‑plant nurseries.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Humulene-type hop substitute (bark), aromatic leaves and immature fruit used to scentyer.
Industrial and craft applications:
Hard, fine-grained wood is occasionally used for small turnery and tool handles.
Properties relevant to use:
Aromatic compounds in foliage, bark, and fruit (including coumarins) and sesquiterpenes provide persistent scent; astringent bark yields polyphenolic extractives.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Common and widely distributed across North America; not at risk and amenable to cultivation on open sites.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Ptelea pentaphylla | Münchh. | Hausvater 5: 242 (1770) |
| Ptelea acutifolia | Greene & Rose | Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 10: 68 (1906) |
| Ptelea aquilina | Greene | Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 10: 57 (1906) |
| Ptelea microphylla | D.Dietr. | Syn. Pl. 1: 497 (1839) |
| Ptelea isophylla | Greene | Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 10: 58 (1906) |
| Ptelea mesochora | Greene | Torreya 5: 100 (1905) |
| Ptelea viticifolia | Salisb. | Prodr. Stirp. Chap. Allerton : 68 (1796) |
| Ptelea carolina | Greene | Torreya 5: 99 (1905) |
| Ptelea toxicodendron | Small | Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 28: 294 (1901) |
| Ptelea obcordata | Greene | Torreya 5: 99 (1905) |
| Dodonaea trifoliata | Trew | Pl. Rar. 12. t. 9. |
| Ptelea serrata | Small | Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 28: 292 (1901) |
| Ptelea microcarpa | Small | Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 28: 293 (1901) |
| Ptelea baldwinii | Torr. & A.Gray | Fl. N. Amer. 1: 215 (1838) |
| Ptelea trifoliata var. pentaphilla | Du Roi | Harbk. Baumz. 2: 203 (1772) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | carolina shrub-trefoil |
| English | common hoptree |
| English | stinking ash |
| English | wafer ash |
| English | woolly hoptree |
| English | wingseed |
| English | water-ash |
| English | swamp dogwood |
| English | stinking prairie bush |
| English | skunk bush |
| English | sang-tree |
| English | quinine tree |
| English | prickaway anise |
| English | prairie-grub |
| English | paleleaf hoptree |
| English | ague bark |
| Arabic | دردار السامرة الثلاثي الوريقات |
| Arabic | دردار ذو ثلاث ورقات |
| Azerbaijani | Üçyarpaq pteleya |
| Belarusian | Птэлея трохлістая |
| Belarusian | Вязавік трохлісты |
| Czech | křídlatec trojlistý |
| Danish | kløver-læderkrone |
| German | dreiblättriger lederstrauch |
| German | kleeulme |
| Persian | خاکستر زننده |
| Finnish | humalalaikkio |
| Hungarian | hármaslevelű alásfa |
| Armenian | Պտելեյա եռատերև |
| Norwegian Bokmål | humlebusk |
| Polish | parczelina trójlistkowa |
| Russian | Кожинка |
| Russian | Кожанка |
| Russian | Вязовник трёхлисточковый |
| Russian | Птелея трёхлисточковая |
| Russian | Птелея трёхлистная |
| Serbian | Птелеа |
| Ukrainian | Птелея трилиста |
| Chinese | 三葉椒 |
| Chinese | 三叶椒 |
| Chinese | 齿叶榆橘 |
| Chinese | 鲍尔温榆橘 |
| Chinese | 榆橘 |
Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Ptelea trifoliata subsp. angustifolia | (Benth.) V.L.Bailey | Brittonia 14: 15 (1962) |
| Ptelea trifoliata subsp. coahuilensis | (Greene) V.L.Bailey | Brittonia 14: 28 (1962) |
| Ptelea trifoliata subsp. pallida | (Greene) V.L.Bailey | Brittonia 14: 23 (1962) |
| Ptelea trifoliata subsp. polyadenia | (Greene) V.L.Bailey | Brittonia 14: 20 (1962) |
| Ptelea trifoliata subsp. trifoliata |
Varieties (abbr. var.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Ptelea trifoliata var. confinis | (Greene) V.L.Bailey | Brittonia 14: 27 (1962) |
| Ptelea trifoliata var. lutescens | (Greene) V.L.Bailey | Brittonia 14: 25. 1962 |
| Ptelea trifoliata var. mollis | Torr. & A.Gray | Fl. N. Amer. 1: 680 (1840) |
| Ptelea trifoliata var. persicifolia | (Greene) V.L.Bailey | Brittonia 14: 19 (1962) |
| Ptelea trifoliata var. pumila | (Greene) V.L.Bailey | Brittonia 14: 29 (1962) |
| Ptelea trifoliata var. cognata | (Greene) V.L.Bailey | Brittonia 14: 18 (1962) |
Forms (abbr. f.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Ptelea trifoliata f. pubescens | (Pursh) Fernald | Rhodora 38(450): 233 1936 |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!| Start at 4°C for 3 months, then warm to 20°C for another 3 months. |
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
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Asia-temperate click to expand
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Middle Asia
- Uzbekistan
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Middle Asia
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Europe click to expand
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Middle Europe
- Belgium
- Czechoslovakia
- Germany
- Hungary
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Southeastern Europe
- Bulgaria
- Romania
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Southwestern Europe
- France
- Spain
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Middle Europe
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Northern America click to expand
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Eastern Canada
- Ontario
- Québec
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Mexico
- Mexico Central
- Mexico Gulf
- Mexico Northeast
- Mexico Northwest
- Mexico Southwest
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North-central U.S.A.
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Oklahoma
- Wisconsin
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Northeastern U.S.A.
- Connecticut
- Indiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- West Virginia
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Northwestern U.S.A.
- Colorado
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South-central U.S.A.
- New Mexico
- Texas
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Southeastern U.S.A.
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- District Of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
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Southwestern U.S.A.
- Arizona
- Utah
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Eastern Canada
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000471373 |
| UNII | X236985060 |
| Florida Plant Atlas | 3492 |
| Flora of Alabama | 3307 |
| Canadensys | 9039 |
| USDA Plants | PTTR |
| UConn | 370 |
| Tropicos | 28100521 |
| INPN | 116263 |
| Flora of Italy | 10254 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:774969-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2543462 |
| Missouri Botanical Garden | 286752 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 113663 |
| Observations.org | 148386 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 210336 |
| Nature Serve | 2.159313 |
| IUCN Red List | 156771719 |
| IPNI | 774969-1 |
| iNaturalist | 50626 |
| iNaturalist | 50625 |
| GBIF | 3190411 |
| Freebase | /m/01lfrk |
| WisFlora | 13251 |
| EPPO | PTATR |
| EOL | 581897 |
| Elurikkus | 6616 |
| USDA GRIN | 30275 |
| Wikipedia | Ptelea_trifoliata |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Naphthalenes | |||||
| (2R,9R)-6,8-dimethoxy-9-(methylamino)-2-prop-1-en-2-yl-1,2,3,9-tetrahydrocyclopenta[b]naphthalen-4-one | 162948059 | Click to see | 313.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(01)98477-1 |
| 6,8-Dimethoxy-9-(methylamino)-2-prop-1-en-2-yl-1,2,3,9-tetrahydrocyclopenta[b]naphthalen-4-one | 162948058 | Click to see CC(=C)C1CC2=C(C1)C(=O)C3=C(C2NC)C(=CC(=C3)OC)OC | 313.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(01)98477-1 |
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Furanoid lignans / Tetrahydrofuran lignans / 9,9-epoxylignans / Dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans | |||||
| Arctigenin methyl ether | 384877 | Click to see | 386.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(01)88517-8 |
| Dimethylmatairesinol | 1286 | Click to see | 386.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(01)88517-8 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Dihydrofuranoquinolines | |||||
| (13R)-16-methyl-13-prop-1-en-2-yl-3,5,14-trioxa-16-azatetracyclo[7.7.0.02,6.011,15]hexadeca-1(9),2(6),7,11(15)-tetraen-10-one | 162991305 | Click to see CC(=C)C1CC2=C(O1)N(C3=C(C2=O)C=CC4=C3OCO4)C | 285.29 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85268-X |
| 16-Methyl-13-prop-1-en-2-yl-3,5,14-trioxa-16-azatetracyclo[7.7.0.02,6.011,15]hexadeca-1(9),2(6),7,11(15)-tetraen-10-one | 162991304 | Click to see | 285.29 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85268-X |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Furanoquinolines | |||||
| Kokusaginine | 10227 | Click to see COC1=C(C=C2C(=C1)C(=C3C=COC3=N2)OC)OC | 259.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/P19910002261 |
| Maculosidine | 68222 | Click to see COC1=CC2=C(C(=C1)OC)N=C3C(=C2OC)C=CO3 | 259.26 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1039/P19910002261 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Quinolones and derivatives / Hydroquinolones | |||||
| 2-Undecyl-4(1H)-quinolinone | 10063343 | Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCC1=CC(=O)C2=CC=CC=C2N1 | 299.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)83063-9 |
| 3-(2-Hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl)-4,6,8-trimethoxy-1-methylquinolin-2-one | 101967150 | Click to see CC(=C)C(CC1=C(C2=C(C(=CC(=C2)OC)OC)N(C1=O)C)OC)O | 333.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1039/P19910002261 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(01)88517-8 |
| 3-[(2R)-2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl]-4,6,8-trimethoxy-1-methylquinolin-2-one | 162883964 | Click to see | 333.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(01)88517-8 |
| 4,6,8-Trimethoxy-1-methyl-3-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)quinolin-2-one | 162932636 | Click to see | 317.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85397-0 |
| 4,6,8-Trimethoxy-3-(2-methoxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl)-1-methylquinolin-2-one | 163053513 | Click to see | 347.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(01)84347-1 |
| 4,6,8-trimethoxy-3-[(2S)-2-methoxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl]-1-methylquinolin-2-one | 163053514 | Click to see CC(=C)C(CC1=C(C2=C(C(=CC(=C2)OC)OC)N(C1=O)C)OC)OC | 347.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(01)84347-1 |
| 4,8-Dimethoxy-5-methyl-7-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-g]quinolin-6-one | 12314738 | Click to see CC(=CCC1=C(C2=CC3=C(C(=C2N(C1=O)C)OC)OCO3)OC)C | 331.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(01)84347-1 |
| 6-Methoxy-7-(2-methoxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl)-9-methyl-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-h]quinolin-8-one | 162880910 | Click to see | 331.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85268-X |
| 6-Methoxy-7-(3-methyl-2-buten-1-yl)-1,3-dioxolo[4,5-h]quinolin-8(9H)-one | 14845307 | Click to see CC(=CCC1=C(C2=C(C3=C(C=C2)OCO3)NC1=O)OC)C | 287.31 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)86348-7 |
| 6-methoxy-7-[(2S)-2-methoxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl]-9-methyl-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-h]quinolin-8-one | 162880911 | Click to see | 331.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85268-X |
| 7-(2-Hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl)-6-methoxy-9-methyl-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-h]quinolin-8-one | 163036508 | Click to see | 317.34 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85268-X |
| 7-(3-Hydroxy-3-methyl-2-oxobutyl)-6-methoxy-9-methyl-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-h]quinolin-8-one | 163022440 | Click to see | 333.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85268-X |
| 7-[(2R)-2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-3-enyl]-6-methoxy-9-methyl-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-h]quinolin-8-one | 163036509 | Click to see | 317.34 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85268-X |
| methyl (2R)-4-(6-methoxy-9-methyl-8-oxo-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-h]quinolin-7-yl)-2-methylbutanoate | 162956266 | Click to see CC(CCC1=C(C2=C(C3=C(C=C2)OCO3)N(C1=O)C)OC)C(=O)OC | 347.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(01)84347-1 |
| Methyl 4-(6-methoxy-9-methyl-8-oxo-[1,3]dioxolo[4,5-h]quinolin-7-yl)-2-methylbutanoate | 12314739 | Click to see CC(CCC1=C(C2=C(C3=C(C=C2)OCO3)N(C1=O)C)OC)C(=O)OC | 347.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4039(01)84347-1 |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Quinolones and derivatives / Pyranoquinolines | |||||
| (4R)-2,2,6-trimethyl-4-[(2E)-2-(9-methyl-4-oxo-3H-furo[2,3-b]quinolin-2-ylidene)propyl]-3,4-dihydropyrano[3,2-c]quinolin-5-one | 163195025 | Click to see CC(=C1CC2=C(O1)N(C3=CC=CC=C3C2=O)C)CC4CC(OC5=C4C(=O)N(C6=CC=CC=C65)C)(C)C | 482.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/JLAC.197919791116 |
| (4S)-2,2,6-trimethyl-4-[(2E)-2-(5-methyl-4-oxo-3H-furo[3,2-c]quinolin-2-ylidene)propyl]-3,4-dihydropyrano[3,2-c]quinolin-5-one | 162889864 | Click to see CC(=C1CC2=C(O1)C3=CC=CC=C3N(C2=O)C)CC4CC(OC5=C4C(=O)N(C6=CC=CC=C65)C)(C)C | 482.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/JLAC.197919791116 |
| (5S)-2-methoxy-6,6-dimethyl-7,12,14-trioxa-9-azatetracyclo[8.7.0.03,8.011,15]heptadeca-1(10),2,8,11(15),16-pentaen-5-ol | 163190708 | Click to see CC1(C(CC2=C(C3=C(C4=C(C=C3)OCO4)N=C2O1)OC)O)C | 303.31 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85268-X |
| 2-Methoxy-6,6-dimethyl-7,12,14-trioxa-9-azatetracyclo[8.7.0.03,8.011,15]heptadeca-1(10),2,8,11(15),16-pentaen-5-ol | 14845309 | Click to see | 303.31 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(75)85268-X |
| 2,2,6-trimethyl-4-[2-(5-methyl-4-oxo-3H-furo[3,2-c]quinolin-2-ylidene)propyl]-3,4-dihydropyrano[3,2-c]quinolin-5-one | 635483 | Click to see CC(=C1CC2=C(O1)C3=CC=CC=C3N(C2=O)C)CC4CC(OC5=C4C(=O)N(C6=CC=CC=C65)C)(C)C | 482.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/JLAC.197919791116 |
| 2,2,6-trimethyl-4-[2-(9-methyl-4-oxo-3H-furo[2,3-b]quinolin-2-ylidene)propyl]-3,4-dihydropyrano[3,2-c]quinolin-5-one | 71440014 | Click to see | 482.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/JLAC.197919791116 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / Rotenoids / Rotenones | |||||
| cis-12a-Hydroxyrot-2'-enonic acid | 44257415 | Click to see | 412.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/JLAC.197919791116 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |