| Hoptree, rare in North Carolina, is a large shrub or small tree of rocky areas, usually over basic rock. Durham, NC 5/17/08.
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| The three-parted leaves could be confused with those of American Bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia), which grows in moist areas, but hoptree leaves are alternate instead of opposite and have a pungent fragrance. Durham, NC 5/17/08.
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| Two varieties occur throughout North Carolina: trifoliata has glabrous leaves and twigs; var. mollis has soft dense pubescence on the twigs and leaf undersides. These may not be good varieties and are lumped in the latest version of Weakley's Flora. Durham, NC 5/17/08.
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| Durham, NC 5/17/08.
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| Male flowers. Durham, NC 5/17/08.
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| Female flowers. Durham, NC 5/17/08.
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| Female flowers. Durham, NC 5/17/08.
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| Menard Co., TX 4/27/2011.
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| Menard Co., TX 4/27/2011.
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| Staminate flowers. Menard Co., TX 4/27/2011.
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| Menard Co., TX 4/27/2011.
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| Austin, Travis Co., TX 4/29/2011.
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| Austin, Travis Co., TX 4/29/2011.
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| Austin, Travis Co., TX 4/29/2011.
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| The common name comes from the hop-like fruits, which also have a pungent aroma when crushed. Austin, Travis Co., TX 4/29/2011.
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| Fruit detail. Austin, Travis Co., TX 4/29/2011.
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| Leaf undersides may be densely covered with white hairs or smooth, depending on the variety. Menard Co., TX 4/27/2011.
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| The USDA PLANTS database recognizes 4 subspecies of Hoptree — I'm not sure which one this is. Austin, Travis Co., TX 4/29/2011.
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| Bark detail. This shrub is on the Duke campus on Towerview Drive at the top of the hill opposite Circuit Drive. This is the only known site in Durham County.
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| Durham, NC 5/17/08.
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| Menard Co., TX 4/27/2011.
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| Menard Co., TX 4/27/2011.
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| Menard Co., TX 4/27/2011.
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More information:
Salisbury University
Trees of Alabama and the Southeast
Virginia Tech Dendrology
Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides
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