Audubon® Native Wafer Ash Treeling

Common Hop Tree is your ticket to one of nature’s most spellbinding shows: the lifecycle of the giant swallowtail butterfly! This supersized beauty—the largest of our native North American butterflies—will take your breath away. It is fascinating at all stages of life. It starts out as a tiny orange egg laid on Hop Tree leaves. Then, as a caterpillar, you get a hint of how beautiful they will grow to be with their unique black and green tiger stripes! As a chrysalis, it looks just like a broken stick. As an adult, it transforms itself once more—this time into a gorgeous black and yellow butterfly with a wingspan of up to seven inches. Truly magical!

The Common Hop Tree has a wide but scattered natural range. This small, multi-stemmed understory tree is most abundant in the Midwest, but it is also native to the Mid-Atlantic states, the Southeast, parts of the Southwest, and Mexico. It is the hardiest member of the Citrus family in North America, and that’s why the giant swallowtail is so interested in it—she only lays her eggs on Citrus-family plants. In Florida and California, giant swallowtail caterpillars feed on commercial Citrus trees, and there, these beautiful creatures are considered pests! Citrus growers call them “orange dogs,” and spray for them.

Common Hop Tree gets its name from the fact that the wafer-like seeds were once used as a substitute for hops in beer-brewing. Its other common name is Wafer Ash. It is not an Ash Tree at all, but its leaves look a little like Ash leaves. On second thought, they look more like Poison Ivy, but “Poison Ivy Tree” does not have a nice ring to it!

Audubon is devoted to protecting birds and the places they need, while Bower & Branch is devoted to the growth of true native trees and plants–no cultivars or hybrids. Together, we strive to unite communities in conservation and inspire individuals to cultivate a better world for birds starting in their own backyards, balconies, or patios. By guiding and recommending trees and plants truly native and beneficial to your region, we can really start to make a difference.

What is the definition of Native?

“In the United States, a native plant is defined as one that was naturally found in a particular area before European colonization. Native plants are the foundation of a region’s biodiversity, providing essential food sources and shelter for birds, especially those threatened by the changing climate. Since native plants are adapted to local precipitation and soil conditions, they generally require less upkeep, therefore helping the environment and saving you time, water, and money.” – The National Audubon Society

Learn how you can help birds in your home and community through Audubon’s Plants for Birds program.

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