common hoptree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• stinking-ash
• three-leaved hop-tree
• wafer-ash
• hoptree
• shrub trefoil
• American Hop Tree
• Wafer Ash
• common hoptree
• stinking ash

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Dodonaea trifoliata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Rutaceae and is identified by the genus Ptelea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the European continent. In Middle Europe, its presence is documented within the borders of Belgium. The species can also be found throughout the territories of Czechia-Slovakia and Germany. Furthermore, its range extends into the landscape of Hungary. Finally, the geographical reach of this medicinal plant includes parts of Southwestern Europe, specifically France.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Ptelea trifoliata is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategy, the plant exhibits life forms categorized as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte, indicating that its stem or woody parts are held above the ground level, with some parts remaining relatively low to the substrate.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Ptea trifoliata is characterized by a woody growth form that manifests as both a tree and a shrub. As a terrestrial organism, it is an independent species, functioning neither as a parasite nor as an epiphyte. The plant exhibits significant variation in stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 1.5 m to a maximum of 8 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 6.66 m. In terms of its structural habit, it is classified as a self-supporting plant rather than a liana or a vine.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height mean:

6.66 m

Plant height min:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Ptea trifoliata is characterized by a metabolic framework consistent with the C3 photosynthetic pathway. Within its leaf tissues, carbon fixation occurs primarily through the Calvin cycle, where the enzyme Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) catalyzes the initial carboxylation of CO2. Unlike plants utilizing C4 or CAM pathways, Ptea trifoliata does not employ specialized anatomical adaptations like Kranz anatomy or temporal separation of carbon fixation to concentrate CO2; instead, it relies on standard mesophyll cells for both light-dependent reactions and the subsequent reduction phase of photosynthesis. This C3 mechanism implies that the plant's gas exchange and water-use efficiency are intrinsically linked to its stomatal conductance, as it remains susceptible to photorespiration when stomata close under high-temperature or low-moisture conditions.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Ptelea trifoliata is characterized by a flowering period that typically commences in April and extends through August, though the timing can be variable. The plant produces fruit classified as an achene, which is notably indehiscent. These fruits exhibit specific morphological dimensions, with an average length of 2.05 cm (ranging from a minimum of 1.9 cm to a maximum of 2.2 cm), an average height of 1.875 cm (with a maximum of 2.1 cm and a minimum of 2.1 cm), and an average width of 0.26 cm (ranging from 0.23 cm to a maximum of 0.29 cm). The seeds contained within the fruit have a mean mass of approximately 0.0284 g, with individual seed masses ranging from a minimum of 0.0104 g to a maximum of 0.04545 g. Furthermore, the plant utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on wind for the distribution of its seeds.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit height max:

2.1 cm

Fruit height mean:

1.875 cm

Fruit length max:

2.2 cm

Fruit length mean:

2.05 cm

Fruit length min:

1.9 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Fruit width max:

0.29 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.26 cm

Fruit width min:

0.23 cm

Seed mass max:

0.04545 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0283552381428571 g

Seed mass min:

0.0104 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Ptelea trifoliata has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-SITOSTEROL, Bergapten, Neohydroxylunine, O-4-Methylhydroxyluninium, Pteleatinium chloride.

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Lloydia

Bergapten

1. Lloydia

Neohydroxylunine

1. Lloydia

O-4-Methylhydroxyluninium

1. Lloydia

Pteleatinium chloride

1. Lloydia

Pteleine

1. Lloydia

Skimmianine

1. Lloydia

choline

1. Lloydia

Preparations

Ptelea trifoliata has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Quaternary alkaloid extracts.

Quaternary alkaloid extracts

1. Lloydia