Hop-tree

Hop-tree (Ptelea trifoliata) flowering, along the trail near the entrance to Shawnee Bottoms, Fountain County.  Hop-tree is rather common here. 

The trifoliate leaflets and alternate leaf pattern of hop-tree looks a lot like poison ivy.  Hop-tree is a small tree and doesn’t irritate the skin, unlike poison ivy.

Link to Ptelea trifoliata:

Link to Shawnee Bottoms:

Photo taken May 27, 2015.