Seed of the Week: Hopbush

Our mystery seeds last week were from a hopbush, Dodonaea viscosa.

hopbush-fruit

There are a number of different subspecies of hopbush grown throughout the world. This particular one is found in Arizona, California and throughout northern Mexico, as well as Hawaii. It is thought to be native to these regions.

hopbush-seed-cases-better

It is a large shrub to small tree that grows well in arid conditions.

hopbush-seed-cases

 

The showy winged seed cases catch the eye. The flowers are much smaller and less conspicuous.

The seed pods resemble that of the yellow orchid vine, or butterfly vine.

Have you ever heard this plant called by a different common name? What was it?

 

2 Comments

  1. Anna

    There’s another small tree in tx with the name hop tree, also called wafer ash. It has much wider leaves and is food for some types of swallowtail butterflies. Good mystery.

  2. Roberta

    Anna,

    Thanks for the information, I’ll look for it. I’m interested in butterfly plants, too.

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