Florida Hopbush

Dodonaea viscosa

Native to:
Afghanistan, Aldabra, American Samoa, Andaman Is., Angola, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bismarck Archipelago, Bolivia, Borneo, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Caroline Is., Cayman Is., Central African Republic, Chatham Is., Chile, China, Christmas I., Cocos (Keeling) Is., Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Is., Costa Rica, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, DR Congo, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Guiana, Gabon, Galápagos, Gambia, Ghana, Gilbert Is., Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gulf States, Guyana, Hainan, Haiti, Honduras, India, Iran, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jawa, Kazan-retto, Kenya, Laccadive Is., Leeward Is., Lesser Sunda Is., Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaya, Maldives, Maluku, Marianas, Marquesas, Marshall Is., Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexican Pacific Is., Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nicobar Is

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Sapindaceae
Genus:
Dodonaea
Species:
Dodonaea viscosa
USDA Symbol:
DOVI

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Tree
Height:
500 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug
Bloom Colors:
greenish-yellow
Evergreen Shrub:
Yes
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★★★★★ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Caterpillars:
★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, butterflies
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts vigorously after fire; seeds germinate readily in post-fire conditions.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
well-drained, sandy or rocky soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
adaptable to various soil types; drought-tolerant

Propagation & Germination

Pre-treatment: Fresh seeds require no pretreatment to germinate. However, germination may be faster if seeds are pretreated with hot water (3 parts near boiling water) and soaked for 24 hours. Discard floaters. Germination may be increased for certain seedlots by first soaking the seeds in a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution for 2-3 minutes, then rinse.

Establishment: Seeds are contained in papery winged capsules. Mature seeds are small, round and black, about 2 mm in diameter. Although not true to seed, it is best to collect seed from the same bioregion as where the planting stock will be planted. Indigenous to all Hawaiian Islands except Kaho'olawe.

Source: npn.rngr.net

ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.

Source: Ontario Rock Garden & Hardy Plant Society

Where to Buy

Nationwide Seller