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Sapindaceae
Hop Bush
Dodonaea viscosa
Adaptability and global tenacity.
- Family
- Sapindaceae
- Genus
- Dodonaea
- Native to
- Australia, Africa, Americas, southern Asia
- Bloom season
- Spring, Summer
- Type
- evergreen shrub or small tree
- Height
- 200–500 cm
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- well-drained; tolerates poor, sandy soils
- Water
- low; drought-tolerant
- Hardiness
- 9–11
- Lifespan
- perennial; long-lived shrub
Did you know
- The common name refers to the papery seed capsules resembling those of true hops (Humulus).
- Its resinous leaves feel sticky — 'viscosa' means sticky in Latin.
- It is one of the most widespread shrubs on Earth, found naturally on every continent except Antarctica.
- Aboriginal Australians used the hard wood for making boomerangs, clubs, and digging sticks.
- The purple-leaved cultivar 'Purpurea' is a popular landscape plant in arid and Mediterranean climates.
Color meanings
Red
fiery endurance
Purple
regal resilience