Common hoptree

Leaves

Form

• Deciduous, alternate
• Compound
• 3 leaflets on a central stalk
• Leaflets sharp-pointed
• Narrowing below the middle to a wedge-shaped base
• Nearly stalkless
• Pungent citrus odour when bruised

Length

• Leaflets 10–15 cm
• Central stalk 10–15 cm

Colour

• Upper surface shiny dark green
• Lower surface much paler with many tiny translucent dots that can be seen by holding the leaf against a strong light

Margin

• Smooth or with shallow, irregular teeth

Buds

Form

• No terminal bud
• Lateral buds very small, sunken
• Erupt through the leaf scar in spring

Twigs

Form

• Slender
• Pith large
• Leaf scars with 3 vein scars
• Pungent citrus odour when bruised

Colour

• Yellowish- to reddish-brown
• Pith white

Flowers

Form

• Small, in clusters at the tips of shoots
• Perfect flowers occasionally present              

Colour

• Greenish-white

Structure

• Polygamo-dioecious

Fruits

Form

• Flat, 1- or 2-seeded
• Central seedcase surrounded by a veined wing
• In dense clusters
• Remaining on the tree through most of the winter

Width

• Wing about 25 mm

Structure

• Samara

Bark

Form

• Smooth, becoming rough with age

Colour

• Reddish-brown

Wood

Texture

• Moderately heavy, hard
• Medium strength

Colour

• Yellowish-brown

Size

Height

• To 8 m

Diameter

• To 15 cm

Tree form

Forest-grown

Trunk

• Often branched

Crown

• Irregular, rounded
• Many short ascending branches

Habitat

Site

• Shorelines
• Dry, rocky soils bordering wooded areas
• Open woodlands

Light tolerance

• Tolerant of partial shade
• Flowers only in full sunlight

Range

Rare in Canada; southwestern Ontario on the north shore of Lake Erie