Ptelea crenulata      (syn. Ptelea trifoliata var. crenulata)                         Rutaceae

California or Western Hoptree                         TE-le-a kren-u-LA-tah

• Broadleaf deciduous, shrub or low branched small tree, 6.5-15 ft (2-4.5 m) high, similar width.   Leaves alternate, pinnately compound (trifoliate, i.e., 3-leaflets), 2-7 cm long, leaflets lanceolate to obovate, tip pointed, base wedge-shaped or rounded, margin serrate or entire, stalkless, dark green glabrous above, lower surface somewhat hairy, dotted with translucent dots (glands) can be seen by holding the leaf against a strong light; petiole 2-5 cm long.  Flowers are small with 4-5 greenish-white petals, 4-5 mm, fragrant, in terminal clusters (cymes), not very showy.  Fruit (samara) nearly circular, winged, 1-2 cm wide, straw-colored at maturity.
• Sun; dry, well-drained soil.
• Hardy to USDA Zone       Native to California's Inner North Coast Ranges, Cascade Range Foothills, Sierra Nevada Foothills, San Francisco Bay Area
crenulata: somewhat scalloped