100 



Native Trees of Kentucky 



RUE FAMILY Rutaceae, 



The Rue family, so prominent in sub-tropical regions for its 

 oranges and lemons, is represented in Kentucky by one genus, 

 .Ptelea containing one tree species. 



Three-leaved Hop Tree Ptelea trifoliata. 



The Hop Tree 

 or AYafer Ash is 

 well distributed 

 in the under- 

 growth of for- 

 ests of the State. 

 Formerly, it was 

 abundant near 

 Louisville on 

 cliffs facing the 

 Ohio River. 



There are three reasons for its numerical success and wide 

 distribution in the forests : 



1. It is tolerant of the shade of taller trees. 



2. The leaves, bark and seeds are so bitter that animals 



never feed upon them. 



3. The seeds are abundant, vigorous and well equipped 



with wings adapted to long flight. 



In a border plantation, the light green foliage and buff colored 

 persistent fruit are highly ornamental. 



The inconspicuous flowers, appearing early in spring, are of 

 two kinds : staminate and pistillate, borne in the same clusters. 



Tree small, often shrub-like. 



Bark smooth, dark gray. 



Leaves alternate, tri-foliate on long stems, leaflets sessile. 



Fruit samaras, surrounded by broad, wafer-like wings : per- 

 sistent far into winter. 



