Ptelea trifoliata L.
Ptelea trifoliata
Ptelea trifoliata, commonly known as common hoptree or wafer ash, is a deciduous shrub or tree native to North America. It grows to around 6–8 meters (20–26 feet) tall with a broad crown. The bark is reddish-brown to gray-brown, and the plant has an unpleasant odor and bitter taste. The leaves are trifoliate with three leaflets, each ovate or oblong and 3–5 inches long. The flowers are small and greenish-white, producing a round wafer-like papery samara fruit that ripens in October. The wood is yellow-brown, heavy, hard, and close-grained.
Details
Sapindales
Rutaceae
Ptelea
The chemistry of Ptelea trifoliata includes various compounds found in the leaves and bark. The plant contains essential oils, flavonoids, and terpenoids which contribute to its medicinal properties and distinctive odor.
Ptelea trifoliata has several Native American uses as a seasoning and herbal medicine for various ailments. It is also cultivated for ornamental purposes, with cultivars such as 'Aurea' gaining the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Historically, German immigrants in Texas used its seeds as a substitute for hops in beer-making.
May to June
6–8 meters (20–26 feet)
Greenish-white
Ptelea trifoliata is found in a variety of habitats including rocky forests, prairies, glades, and sand dunes. It is common in canyons in Arizona and prefers both moist and dry soil often associated with calcareous or mafic substrates.
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Pannon Flora Ltd. was founded on December 13, 1999, by Gábor Janik, who retains 95% ownership. Janik holds an MSc in Horticulture from the University of Horticultural Sciences (1986) and an Advanced Professional English Certification from the College of International Trade (1990). The company specializes in bird feed production and export, primarily serving markets in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK, alongside cultivating and distributing imported/exported horticultural seeds. It maintains exclusive partnerships with JOEUN Seed (South Korea) and Takii Europe (Japan), a leader in professional seed breeding and production. Pannon Flora collaborates with certification bodies such as NÉBIH (National Food Chain Safety Office), MERT Kontroll, and SGS Hungary to ensure compliance and quality. The company works with approximately 400 Hungarian growers, ranging from small-scale producers (under 5 hectares) to mid-sized farms and large-scale agricultural enterprises. This profile emphasizes agribusiness expertise, technical partnerships, and operational scalability tailored to international client needs.
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