36 



MISC. PUBLICATION 77, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



HOPTREE 



Ptelea trifoliata L. (Fig. 65.) 



Other common names. — Waferash, ptelea, wingseed, shrubby trefoil, swamp 

 dogwood, three-leaved hoptree, ague bark, prairie-grub, quinine tree, stinking ash, 

 stinking prairie-bush, sang-tree, pickaway-anise. 



Habitat and range. — This native shrub is found in shady woods from New York 

 to Florida and west to Minnesota and Texas, occurring in greatest abundance west 

 of the Alleghenies. 



Description. — The hoptree is a shrub usually from 6 to 8 feet, sometimes 20 

 feet, in height, with leaves consisting of three dark green, shining leaflets 2 to 5 

 inches long. The leaves are glandular dotted and are borne on long stems, but 

 the leaflets are stemless. The greenish-white flowers, produced in June, are 

 borne in compound clusters at the end of the stems. Both leaves and flowers 

 have an unpleasant odor. The flowers are followed by large clusters of winged, 

 flat, roundish fruits each containing two seeds. They have a bitter taste. 



Part used. — The bark of the root. In limited demand onlv. 



Figube 65.— Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata) 



HORSECHESTNUT 



Figuke 66.— Horsechestnut {Aesculus 

 hippocastanum) 



Aescuius hippocastanum L. (Fig. 66.) 



Other common names. — Hippocastanum, bongay, konkcr-tree. 



Habitat and range. — This tree is largely cultivated in this country as an orna- 

 mental shade tree and occasionally escapes from cultivation. 



Description. — The horsechestnut is a rather large tree, usually reaching 40 feet 

 or more in height. The large leaves are composed of five to seven leaflets from 

 4 to 8 inches long, pointed, and broader at the top than at the base. In June it 

 produces handsome flower clusters sometimes a foot in length, consisting of large 

 white flowers spotted with yellow and red. The fruit is round and prickly and 

 contains a large shining brown nut. 



Part used. — Horsechestnut bark is collected in autumn, and preference is 

 given to the bark from the younger branches. In limited demand only. 



HORSE NETTLE 



Solarium carolinense L. (Fig. 67.) 



Other common names. — Sand brier, bull nettle, radical-weed, tread-softly, 

 apple of Sodom. 



Habitat and range. — The horse nettle is found in dry, sandy soil from Ontario 

 to Illinois and Massachusetts, Florida, and Texas. 



