Dodonaea viscosa Jacq.

Sapindaceae, Davies & B. Verdcourt. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1998

Morphology General Habit

Monoecious or dioecious semi-prostrate shrub or small tree, 0.5–9 m. tall; bark black or brown, ± rough; twigs black or reddish brown, glandular, glabrescent, ridged and developing vertical fissures.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves simple, variable; blades oblanceolate or broadly to narrowly elliptic, (1–)4–13 cm. long, (0.4–)1.3–4.2 cm. wide, widest at or above the midpoint, obtuse and minutely apiculate at apex, gradually narrowed below the middle to a narrowly cuneate base; margin entire, recurved (in dried specimens); both surfaces glabrous and glandular, coated especially when young with viscid glandular exudate; lateral nerves 15–20(–30), often indistinct; petioles 0–2.5 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers greenish yellow, unisexual or bisexual, in loose thyrsoid panicles at the ends of twigs; pedicels 0.8–1.5 cm. long in flower and fruit, glabrous and glandular. Bisexual flowers similar:sepals 3–4, greenish yellow, ovate, 2–2.5 mm. long, spreading; anthers 1.6–1.9 mm. long. Female flowers:calyx green, cup-like but sepals free; staminodes lacking or with anthers ± 1.5 mm. long; ovary green, oblong in outline, flattened, bilobed, glandular; style 2–3-lobed, equalling the ovary; disk inconspicuous. Male flowers:sepals 3–4, straw-coloured or greenish yellow, 2–2.5 mm. long, spreading; stamens 7(–9); anthers 2–3 mm. long; ovary rudiment minute.

sex Male

Male flowers:sepals 3–4, straw-coloured or greenish yellow, 2–2.5 mm. long, spreading; stamens 7(–9); anthers 2–3 mm. long; ovary rudiment minute.

sex Female

Female flowers:calyx green, cup-like but sepals free; staminodes lacking or with anthers ± 1.5 mm. long; ovary green, oblong in outline, flattened, bilobed, glandular; style 2–3-lobed, equalling the ovary; disk inconspicuous.

sex Hermaphrodite

Bisexual flowers similar:sepals 3–4, greenish yellow, ovate, 2–2.5 mm. long, spreading; anthers 1.6–1.9 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit disk-shaped, the body 1.5–2.3 cm. long, 8–11 mm. wide, with an encircling papery venose wing 3–7 mm. wide or a few with 3(–4) locules and wings.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 2 per locule, black, subspherical, or somewhat compressed with a raised dorsal rim, 2–3 mm. diameter, 1.5–3 mm. thick.

Bernal, R., G. Galeano, A. Rodríguez, H. Sarmiento y M. Gutiérrez. 2017. Nombres Comunes de las Plantas de Colombia. http://www.biovirtual.unal.edu.co/nombrescomunes/

Vernacular

ayullo, ayuno, chamana, chamano, chamarro, coca silvestre, escobo, hayo, hayuelo, jayo

The Useful Plants of Boyacá project

Ecology

Alt. 250 - 3900 m.

Conservation

Least concern.

Distribution

Native from Colombia.

Morphology General Habit

Shrub.

Vernacular

Hopshrup.

Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation (2024). Bachman, S.P., Brown, M.J.M., Leão, T.C.C., Lughadha, E.N., Walker, B.E. https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.19592

Conservation

Predicted extinction risk: not threatened. Confidence: confident

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/66292425/146224257

Conservation

LC - least concern

Sapindaceae, A. W. Exell. Flora Zambesiaca 2:2. 1966

Morphology General Habit

Small tree up to 10 m. tall or shrub; branchlets angular, glabrous, resinous.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves simple, spirally arranged; petiole up to 6 mm. long, glabrous; lamina up to 10 × 3 cm., narrowly elliptic, glabrous, resinous, apex acute and usually acuminate, margin entire, base narrowly cuneate and decurrent into the petiole; lateral nerves numerous (usually up to c. 20 pairs).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence usually c. 2 cm. long, terminal or subterminal, somewhat corymbose; peduncle short (rarely more than 5 mm. long).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers greenish-yellow (often bisexual fide Radlkofer); pedicels up to 5 mm. long (accrescent to 12 mm. long in fruit), filiform, glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium

Stamens usually 6; anthers 3 mm. long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Pistil

Ovary (2)3(4)-locular; style 4–6 mm. long, (2)3(4)-lobed.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit up to 2 × 2 cm., 2–3(4)-locular, subcircular in outline, emarginate at apex and base, with 2–3 glabrous membranous wings c. 4–6 mm. broad, very shortly stipitate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seed black, 3 × 2 mm., lenticular, glabrous.

Distribution

Biogeografic region: Andean, Caribbean. Elevation range: 250–3900 m a.s.l. Native to Colombia. Colombian departments: Antioquia, Bogotá DC, Bolívar, Boyacá, Cesar, Cundinamarca, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Nariño, Norte de Santander, San Andrés y Providencia, Santander.

Habit

Shrub.

Conservation

IUCN Red List Assessment (2021): LC. National Red List of Colombia (2021): Potential LC.

Ecology

Habitat according IUCN Habitats Classification: forest and woodland, savanna, shrubland, native grassland, wetlands (inland), artificial - terrestrial.

Vernacular

Chamano, Florida hopbush, Hayuelo, Hopshrup

George R. Proctor (2012). Flora of the Cayman Isands (Second Edition). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Morphology General Habit

A shrub up to 3 m tall, with very viscid foliage, the branches reddish-brown, longitudinally ridged; leaves simple, mostly oblanceolate or narrowly oblong, usually 4–11 cm long and 1.5–4 cm broad above the middle, gradually narrowed to the base, a petiole virtually absent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers pale green, dioecious, in small lateral corymbs; sepals 3 mm long.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsules usually 3-celled and 3-winged, 1.5–2.5 cm wide, deeply notched at the apex.

Distribution

Grand Cayman, Little Cayman. Pantropical; many variants have been described, but the Cayman plants seem to approximate the typical variety.

Ecology

In various habitats

Kew Species Profiles

General Description

A highly variable, extremely widespread plant with numerous medicinal uses, hopbush is known by over 50 different common names.

Hopbush is a highly variable evergreen shrub or small tree with several subspecies and varieties. It occurs around most of the southern hemisphere, and its numerous useful properties have been discovered independently by people of different continents. The flowers are relatively unspectacular but its winged fruits can become red or purple as they mature, making it an attractive garden plant in the tropics and subtropics. One cultivated variety also develops purple leaves when grown in direct light. The scientific name, Dodonaea, refers to Rembert Dodoens (a 16th century Flemish royal physician, botanist and professor), viscosa to the stickiness of its leaves.

Species Profile

Geography and distribution

Widely distributed through the southern hemisphere including Australia, New Zealand, South and Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America; also occurring in the southern United States. It is tolerant of drought and can grow in coastal environments. It is intolerant of frost and does not grow well in shade.

Description

Hopbush is an evergreen shrub or small tree, which grows up to about 5 m in height. The leaves are variable in shape, from elongated to spoon- or wedge-shaped, are sometimes reddish or purplish, and are usually shiny and sticky to the touch. They generally have conspicuous veins and their edges may be weakly toothed or undulating. The flowers, which grow at the ends of the branches, are either male or female, and individual plants generally bear one or the other (in which case plants of both sexes are required for successful reproduction). In other cases, however, they may bear flowers of both sexes. The pollen is transported by the wind, and the lack of petals maximises exposure to the breeze. The female flowers, after pollination, develop into 3 or 4 winged papery capsules, each with 2-3 black seeds. These capsules turn red or purple as the fruit matures.

More common names for this species

'A'ali'i, 'a'ali'i kü makani (""'a'ali'i upright in the wind"") [Hawai'i]; ake, akeake, akerantangi [Nz]; alipata [Philipines (Tagalog)]; 'apiri [Tahiti]; bandari [India]; calapinai [Philipines (Tagalog)]; candlewood, dogwood [Bahamas]; chacataya [Bolivia]; chamana [Ecuador, Peru]; chamiso [Argentina]; chanamo, hayuelo [Colombia]; chapuliztle, cuerco de calva, granadina [Mexico]; chulita [Guatemala]; florida, hopbush, hopshrub [England]; gansies [Afrikan]; gelampaya, serengan laut [Malaya]; gitaran [Puerto Rico]; granadillo, hayo [Venezuela]; hopbush, native hop [Australia]; hopwood [England]; kabunda [Congo]; kankerbos [Afrikan]; kayu berthi. letup letup [Malaya]; kayu mesen, kisig, mesen [Java]; kharata [India]; mai pek [Thailand]; manglier petites feuilles [Haiti]; mukusao, umusasa [Congo]; native birch, native lignum vitae [Tasmania]; sanatha [Pakistan]; sanatta [Sanskrit]; switch sorrel [Jamaica]; vassoura vermelha [Brazil]; vrali [Spain]; walaytinahndi [Hindi]; yxichapulin [Aztec].

Uses

To list the many uses of this plant around the world would be a huge task. However, Kew's Survey of Economic Plants for Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (SEPASAL) has undertaken a comprehensive collation of uses recorded in available scientific literature. In the western part of the island of New Guinea, for example, Yali highlanders use the wood for house construction and firewood, and apply heated leaves as plasters for wounds. D. viscosa is also used for house construction elsewhere in Southeast Asia, West Africa and Brazil.

Hopwood is also used in New Guinea for making tools and fish traps, for stimulating lactation in mothers, as incense for funerals, and as a remedy for dysentery. Various parts of the plant are used traditionally in Africa and Asia for treating digestive system disorders, infections, rheumatism, respiratory complaints and skin problems. Early settlers in Australia used D. viscosa as a substitute for hops for brewing beer (as reflected in some of common names of this plant), a use also recorded from Iraq. Hopwood leaves have been reported to be chewed as a stimulant in some parts of the world (such as in Colombia and Peru, where the leaves are sometimes mixed with coca, Erythroxylum coca ).

Dodonaea viscosa readily colonizes open areas and secondary forest, and is tolerant of salinity, drought and pollution. It is therefore useful for dune stabilization, restoring degraded lands and for reforestation. Its fast growth and tolerance of strong winds make it an excellent hedge and windbreak, and it is planted as a decorative shrub (e.g. in South Africa, Australia and southern U.S.A.).

Millennium Seed Bank: Seed storage

Kew's Millennium Seed Bank Partnership aims to save plant life world wide, focusing on plants under threat and those of most use in the future. Seeds are dried, packaged and stored at a sub-zero temperature in our seed bank vault.

Description of seeds: Black, 2-3 mm in length and firm when ripe, contained in three- or four-winged capsules that become brittle when mature.

Number of seed collections stored in the Millennium Seed Bank: 20.

Seed storage behaviour: Orthodox (the seeds of this plant survive being dried without significantly reducing their viability, and are therefore amenable to long-term frozen storage such as at the MSB)

Germination testing: 100% germination when chipped with scalpel (on 1% agar, at 15, 20 and 25 oC, 8/16). 49-67% germination (pre-sowing treatment = 80% sulphuric acid for 4 minutes) on 1% agar under range of temperature & lighting conditions.

Composition values: 7.6-19% oil content (entire seed/nut). 20.4-21.4% protein content (entire seed/nut).

Cultivation

Hopbush is cultivated in the Tropical Nursery, one of the behind-the-scenes areas of Kew. It is grown from seed; some sources recommend pre-treatment of the seed in very hot water. Kew's general potting mix is used, which consists of coir and Silvafibre, with screened loam, Osmacote and Kieserite. Alternatively, a light, well-drained soil could be used. 

Hopbush can also be propagated by taking cuttings; this method can be used to obtain female plants for the aesthetic value of their winged fruits. At Kew, hopbush is grown in a glasshouse zone where the minimum temperature is 16˚C, and is kept under natural light. Hopbush will tolerate lengthy dry periods and does not require heavy feeding. Occasional mealy bug and whitefly infestations are dealt with using biological controls and, if necessary, by chemical sprays.

Hopbush at Kew

Hopbush is cultivated in the Tropical Nursery, one of the behind-the-scenes areas of Kew.

Dried and alcohol-preserved specimens of hopbush are held in the Herbarium, and details of some of these specimens can be seen in the online Herbarium Catalogue.

Specimens of hopbush are also held in the Economic Botany Collection.

South Africa Landscape - Kew at the British Museum

Between April and October 2010, Kew and the British Museum brought a small corner of South Africa to the heart of London. The South Africa Landscape celebrated a shared vision to strengthen cultural understanding and support biodiversity conservation across the world.

Dodonaea viscosa (hopbush) was one of the star plants featured in the Landscape.

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Distribution

Australia, New Zealand, USA

Ecology

Generally occurring in open habitats, including open woodland, on well-drained soil in tropical and subtropical climates.

Conservation

Not threatened.

Hazards

Contains low levels of toxic chemicals known as cyanogenic glycosides. Although there are no recorded cases of human poisonings it should be treated with caution. It is known to cause liver damage in cattle.

Sapindaceae, Hutchinson and Dalziel. Flora of West Tropical Africa 1:2. 1958

Morphology General Habit

A plant

Ecology

Of sandy coastal areas

Note

At least one other form is commonly grown as a hedge plant inland.

M. Thulin et al. Flora of Somalia, Vol. 1-4 [updated 2008] https://plants.jstor.org/collection/FLOS

Morphology General Habit

Shrub or small tree; all parts glabrous and resinous when young

Morphology Leaves

Leaves simple; petiole short; blade narrowly elliptic to narrowly obovate, entire, acute or rarely rounded to truncate at the apex, attenuate at the base

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences terminal or axillary, paniculate, 1–4 cm long, often merging into a compound terminal inflorescence; pedicels 2–7(–12 in female flowers) mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals 4, ovate, 2–3.5 x 1.5–2 mm, yellowish green, shortly united at the base

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Androecium Stamens

Stamens (5–)7–9(–10), subsessile; anthers c. 3 mm long; style 4–7 mm long, 2–3-fid; stigmas 2–3 mm long

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit circular in outline, 0.7–1.6 x 1–1.8 cm, yellowish with reddish tinged wings

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds subglobose to lens-shaped, c. 3 x 2 mm.

Note

Var. viscosa is restricted to coastal habitats and is distributed along the tropical shores of Africa, Asia, Australia, the Pacific Is. and America. It is known from the coast of Kenya, but has not yet been found in Somalia. Var. viscosa is a shrub or small tree up to about 4 m tall, with leaves mostly wider than in var. angustifolia (up to 12 x 4 cm). Also the scars of fallen sepals below the fruit are strongly bilobed, and the seeds are subglobose and mostly rolling easily when dropped on a flat surface.

Use Animal Food

Used as animal food.

Use Environmental

Environmental uses.

Use Fuel

Used for fuels.

Use Food

Used for food.

Use Invertebrate Food

Used as invertebrate food.

Use Materials

Used as material.

Use Medicines

Medical uses.

Use Poisons

Poisons.

Use Social

Social uses.