Common hops (var. lupuloides) is a vigorous perennial vine grown both commercially and domestically for its attractive, papery fruits that resemble little pine cones. The fruits are a staple in beer production, and domestic gardeners appreciate the overall beauty and hardiness of the plant, which grows in full sun or light shade and slightly dry to moist, well-drained soils. The first year is spent establishing the root system, which consists of both rhizomes (with buds) and true roots (without buds) that penetrate the soil to a depth of 15 feet or more. In the second year, the plant grows quickly to its full length by June, then stops growing vertically and begins producing side arms and pine- or citrus-scented flowers. The coarsely serrated, medium-green leaves and clusters of whitish flowers add bold texture and appeal to gardens, pergolas, or edges of woodlands. The rough, prickly stem has stiff hairs that anchor the vine, which climbs by twining, or turning clockwise at the tip. Charles Darwin observed that the stem made a complete revolution every 128 minutes during daytime in hot weather.

Common hops is well known for its edible and medicinal properties. Although the plant is toxic to dogs, humans enjoy eating the tasty and nutritious leaves and shoots. The fruits are dotted with orangish stalked glands that secrete a bitter, anti-microbial substance, lupulin, used to flavor beers. The small resinous globs are high in alpha and beta acids, which contribute  bitterness, aroma, and preservative qualities to beer. Hops have a long history of herbal use, mainly for their soothing effect on the body and mind, but also for issues ranging from boils and bruises to rheumatism and cancer.
 
Native habitats include thickets, woodland borders, riverbanks, wooded bluff slopes, fencerows, railroads, and disturbed areas. Use in shady or sunny edges of woodlands; on tall structures, shrubs, or trees; in naturalized areas or on slopes/banks; and in butterfly, drought-tolerant, or pollinator gardens. 
 
Plant Characteristics:
Grows 15-25' long. 
 
Grows in full sun or light shade. Produces more flowers in full sun.
 
Prefers slightly dry to moist, well-drained, sandy or loamy soils but tolerates clay soils. Drought tolerant once established.
 
Blooms for two weeks July-August. Male plants produce over 100 flowers in a drooping panicle up to 12" long and 6" wide.  Each staminate flower has 5 sepals, 5 stamens, and no petals. Female plants produce cone-shaped spikes of 10-50 pairs of pistillate flowers from the axils of the leaves. A spike of pistillate flowers is up to 3" long and  2" wide, and each flower has an ovary with many 2"-long styles and a long, sticky stigma.  Each pistillate flower produces a capsule with a single seed that is resinous and aromatic. Fruits of the female flowers appear in a cone-like, elongated cluster. Each small, dry seed is enclosed in a sac-like papery bract.
 
Opposite leaves are medium to yellowish green and up to 6" long and 4" wide. Smaller leaves are usually oval-cordate in shape, but larger leaves are palmate with 3 lobes (rarely with 5), a rough texture, and coarsely serrated margins. The stems and long, stout petioles are light green or tan and smooth to bristly.
 
Reproductive System: Male and female parts are on separate plants (dioecious). Reproduces by re-seeding itself. Only the females produce the cone-shaped "hops" used in brewing. The male plant serves as a pollinator and is not needed for the female plants to produce hop cones for brewing; however, the male plant IS needed for propagation. 
 
Wildlife Value:
Host plant for at least 135 larvae of Lepidoptera, including hop vine borer and hop looper moths and red admiral, question mark, comma, and gray hairstreak butterflies. The caterpillars of the latter species feed on the fruits and developing seeds.  The abundant pollen of the staminate flowers is easily dispersed into the air, and it attracts flower flies  and small bees.
 
Medicinal, Edible, and Other Uses:
Common hop has a long herbal/medicinal history and has been used to treat boils, bruises, cancer, cramps, coughs, cystitis, delirium, diarrhea, dyspepsia, fevers, fits, hysteria, inflammation, insomnia, jaundice, leprosy, nerves, neuralgia, rheumatism, and worms.
 
The leaves contain rutin, an antioxidant that supports vascular health. The seeds contain gamma-linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid that is rarely found in plant sources.
 
The young leaves and shoots are cooked or eaten fresh in salads. The fleshy rhizomes are sometimes eaten, and a calming tea is made from the leaves and cones. Extracts and essential oils from the flowering heads are used as flavorings in beverages, candies, and baked goods.
 
Several sources describe stuffing small bags of dried hop cones inside a pillowcase for the release of a relaxing aroma as the head compresses the pillow.
 
Warning: Plant parts are toxic to dogs. Volatile oils may irritate skin upon contact. 
 
Resources:
Cornell Cooperative Extension: https://ccemadison.org/agriculture/hops-program/growing-hops-at-home#:~:text=The%20hop%20plant%20produces%20best%20under%20specific,frost%20free%20days%20are%20needed%20for%20flowering.
 
Grow Veg: https://www.growveg.com/guides/growing-hops-for-more-than-beer/#:~:text=Sharing%20company%20with%20this%20kind,which%20has%20leaves%20to%20spare.
 
Illinois Wildflowers: https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/savanna/plants/am_hops.htm
 
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HULUL
 
North Carolina Extension: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/humulus-lupulus/
 
Plants For a Future: https://pfaf.org/User/plant.aspx?LatinName=Humulus+lupulus#:~:text=Edible%20Uses&text=Young%20leaves%20can%20be%20eaten,in%20baked%20goods%5B269%5D.