Dodonaea viscosa ssp angustifolia – Narrow-leaf Hop-bush (seed)

Description

Dodonaea viscosa ssp angustifolia is a small shrub native to Australia and several other countries around the globe, including Peru. Usually grows in open forests on hillsides in stony areas (Queensland). In the Sapindaceae family, the Dodonaea genus consists of approximately 60 species, 56 of which are native to Australia.

All viscosa subspecies are useful in horticulture, they are fast growing, hardy and frost resistant, but relatively short lived. Since most Dodonaea are dioecious (male and female flowers occur on separte plants), propagation for ornamental use should focus on the female plants as they have the colorful flower capsules. Some species are bisexual.

The leaves of D. viscosa are chewed in Peru as a stimulant. Used by the Australian Aborigines as a painkiller. The leaves contain a diterpenoid acid, various flavonoids, tannin and are slightly cyanogenic (Lassak & McCarthy, 2001).

Care and Cultivation

Dodonaea have a physical seed dormancy due to a water impermeable seed coat. Ways of breaking this dormancy include pouring boiling water over the seeds and allowing to soak for at least 24 hours. Another method is to put the seeds in a bowl of water and heat in a miocrowave until the water is boiling, allow to soak for a number of hours and then plant as normal.

Plant 0.5 cm under the surface of a well drained mix in full sun. Keep moist until germination.

Prefers a loam/gravel well drained soil. Fast growing and hardy. Likes a full sun position and is tolerant of dry conditions once established.

30 seeds per packet