I've found that it's a rare person around here who knows that hops is native to Iowa and grows commonly in open areas. Humulus lupulus is a species native from the midwest to New England; it is the same species as European hops used in beer making (though a different variety). The female plant that fruits, and the fruits themselves are called hops, with the fruits consisting of overlapping bracts as shown above. Hops is a rapidly growing, twining vine (technically a bine), and I see them frequently this time of year, absolutely covered with fruits; they are usually found at the edge of woods, or in brushy meadows, where they are mostly in sun but have small trees or large bushes to cling to.
