FNPS Plant Database

Dodonaea viscosa

varnish leaf, Florida hopbush

PHOTOS COMING SOON!

Nomenclature

Common Name:

varnish leaf, Florida hopbush

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Dodonaea viscosa

Family:

Sapindaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

1-15 (25) ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white,yellow,green

Fruit Color:

yellow,red,green

Phenology:

Evergreen. Blooms spring-summer.

Noted For:

Showy Fruits, Hurricane Wind Resistance, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Often used as a hedge plant. Fast growing. Can also work as an individual specimen. A good choice for dune stabilization.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Seed

Propagation:

Seed, cuttings, layering. Fast growing

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Somewhat moist, no flooding ---to--- Very long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salt.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Lime Rock

Soil pH:

Calcareous (high pH)

Suitable to Grow In:

9A,9B,10A,10B,11

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.



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Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators

Attracts pollinators.

Dense foliage can be good bird nesting habitat.  Fruits are dispersed by wind.

Native Habitats:

Dry sites near the coast. Hammocks and pinelands.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

This pan-tropical tree has been used for a variety of medicinal uses, typically as an extract or tea. The list varies from skin rashes, to sore throats, to stomach ailments, to a variety of serious diseases.

General Comments:

Has shiny, stiff leaves 2.5 to 5 inches long.

Citations:

Haehle, Robert G. and Joan Brookwell.  1999.  Native Florida Plants.  Gulf Publishing Company.  Houston, TX.



Osorio, Rufino. 2001. A gardener's guide to Florida's native Plants.  University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL.



Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. 2021. Atlas of Florida Plants ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ).  Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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