These are the hops used to flavor and preserve beer. The plant is one of the relatively few native to both Eurasia and North America, so it is impossible to say with certainty whether these particular vines descended from North American stock or from European hops brought over by brewers.⁽¹⁾ They were growing along the Montour Trail in Moon Township.

The flowers are dioecious, meaning that the plant grows separate male and female flowers. These characteristic cones are the result of the female flowers.

For a thorough description of the species, see the Humulus lupulus reference page.

Footnotes

1. Some botanists have classified the North American populations as a different species, but the difference, says Fernald, is “evasive.” (↩)