Potato chip tree?

I was at Wild Birds Unlimited recently and the sales lady said she had caterpillars on her "Potato chip tree." I'm not familiar with that tree -- does anyone know what she meant?

Carla

Quickly googled it and found this:
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-161815829.html

Carla:

Potato chip tree is one of several names given to Ptelea trifoliata, a.k.a Hop Ash, Hop Tree, Skunkbush, etc. Her caterpillars are most likely Tiger Swallowtail or Giant Swallowtails. It's called Potato chip tree because the seeds look like potato chips.

Dale Clark
Dallas County Lepidopterists' Society
www.dallasbutterflies.com

Thanks for the information. I may put this on my list of things to plant next year.

Carla

I should have plenty of seed. Give me a holler in the fall if you want to start some from scratch. (It's slower than buying a container plant of course, but some that we planted two years ago are 3-4 feet tall already, so they seem get off to a quick growing start.)

Thanks, I'll get with you in the fall.

Carla