Dodonea viscosa Native hops (Sapindaceae) Evergreen shrub

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Dodonea viscosa
Native hops
Evergreen shrub
(1 Page of 5)

The Dodonea viscosa plant species is found in Australia, New Zealand and N. America. It is a member of the Sapindaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Native hops. Some home gardeners know the variety as D. attenuata. A.Cunn.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
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Latin Name:  Dodonea viscosa
Common Name:  Native hops
Family:  Sapindaceae
Author:  (L.)Jacq.

Known Hazards:  The leaves are slightly cyanogenic[152]. They are also said to contain saponins[181]. Although quite toxic, saponins are poorly absorbed by the body and most pass straight through without any problems. Saponins can be found in a number of common foods such as some types of beans. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].

Mature Height:  3   Mature Width:  1.5

Habitat:  Rocky, stony or sandy soils in the montane zone of Victoria[154].

Cultivation Notes: Requires a light well-drained soil in a sunny position[200]. Succeeds in almost any fertile soil and in a hot dry position. Resists drought, salt winds and (atmospheric?) pollution[200]. Plants are very wind hardy but are not resistant to frost[166]. They tolerate temperatures down to about -7°c in Australian gardens[157], but are damaged at about 3°c in British gardens[200]. One report says that they succeed outdoors in the mildest gardens in Britain[182]. Plants are growing very well in pots in a polyhouse on our trial grounds in south Cornwall, but they have not survived in the open ground[K]. Our seed source was from Australia, other provenences might be more hardy[K]. Plants are difficult to transplant when they are more than 60 centimetres tall[200]. Polymorphic, there are a number of sub-species[154, 157]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

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