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What was the willow wolf?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

May 30, 2003

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Lupulus was a controversial plant. Some believed the plant "engendered melancholy". Some considered the flowers a contaminant of ale, even if its use preserved the product. According to Mrs. Grieve, during the reign of Henry VIII (1509 to 1547), the English Parliament was petitioned against its use, "'a wicked weed that would spoil the taste of the drink and endanger the people'." (A Modern Herbal, 1931, reprinted 1996, Barnes and Noble)

Hops Vine Winter-hardy climber. Grows 20-25 ft. in one season! Bears pale, aromatic hops that look like fuzzy catkins. Grows in full sun on trellis, fence, arbor, or other type of support. Used in brewing beer. Click here for $20 off at Henry Fields Seed and Nursery!

In The Herbal, John Gerard (1633 edition) wrote, "The Hop doth live and flourish by embracing and taking hold of poles, pearches and other things upon which it climeth....it [the wild plant] groweth among briers and thornes about the borders of fields....The manifold virtues of Hops do manifestly argue the wholesomenesse of beere above ale; for the hops rather make it a physicall drinke to keepe the body in health...."

Countering Gerard, John Evelyn wrote "This one ingredient, by some suspected not unworthily, preserves the drink indeed, but repays the pleasure in tormenting diseases and a shorter life." (Pomona, 1670, Cited in A Modern Herbal) It appears the controversy boiled down to 'traditional ale drinkers versus beer drinkers'. (See Weird Plants, December 12, 2002)

The hopbine (Humulus lupulus Linnaeus) was known in apothecaries as Lupulus, literally 'little wolf', for it was said to strangle or smother other plants, as the wolf does a sheep. Its common name, willow wolf, came from its habitat of deep moist soils where it grew over osiers (willows). Technically, hop, hopbine, or hopvine refers to the plant, hops refers to the spikes (sometimes called strobili) of female flowers used to flavor and preserve beer.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has a photograph of a hopbine laden with hops. To view the photograph, click on the link:

http://www.mda.state.mn.us/food/mfocrops/hops.htm

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Blue Wisteria

Henry Fields Seed and Nursery®

Incredibly sweet-scented blossoms in late spring.

Blue Wisteria climbs 20 ft. with an elegant, slightly weeping form. Lavender flower clusters droop gracefully from its branches. Support for best results.

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Bittersweet Vine Collection (3 Plants, 1 male and 2 females.)

Springhill Nursery®

The Bittersweet Vine Collection is a favorite for everlasting arrangements! Native American vine grows 20-30' with handsome green leaves. In fall, bright yellow seed pods open to reveal bright red berries, for a stunning effect in the landscape or in bouquets.

For fruit, you must plant both male and female plants. This collection includes one male and three females.

Space 3' apart. Shipped in 3" pot.

Celastrus scandens

One collection contains 3 plants, 1 male and 2 females

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Orange Honeysuckle

Gurney's Seed and Nursery®

Blooms in a Big Way the First Year

Grows rapidly--creates a dense foliage and trumpet-shaped flame-orange flowers. Blooms steadily from June to frost and climbs to 20 feet--stunning summer accent for walls, fencelines. Prefers full to partial sun. Zones: 4 - 9 (-20° F.)

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