Hopseed bush

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Hopseed Bush
• Hopbush
• Purple Hop-Bush
• Florida hopbush
• broadleaf hopbush
• giant hopbush
• hopshrub
• sticky hopbush
• Hawaiian Hopseed
• Jamaica Dogwood
• Sand Olive
• Sand Olives
• Sticky hop-bush
• Varnishleaf

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized under the order Sapindales and the family Sapindaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Dodonaea, specifically as the species Dodonaea viscosa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning several diverse regions across the globe. In Southwestern Europe, its presence is notably recorded in Spain. Moving toward Northern Africa, the species can be found within the territory of Tunisia. Its range extends into Macaronesia, where it inhabits both Cape Verde and Madeira. Finally, the plant is also documented in West Tropical Africa, specifically in Benin.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dodonaea viscosa is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and varied topographical gradients. It thrives across a broad elevational range, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to significant montane heights of 3900 m AMSL. This wide altitudinal tolerance allows the species to colonize a variety of distinct ecosystems, including the Cerrado (latu sensu), Seasonal Semi-deciduous Forests (Floresta Estacional Semi-decidual), and coastal Restinga habitats. Such versatility enables the plant to persist in environments ranging from seasonally dry tropical savannas to more humid forest edges and sandy coastal zones.

Elevational range max:

3900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Restinga

Genetics

The genetics of Dodonaea viscosa are characterized by a degree of chromosomal variation that contributes to its adaptive capacity. The species exhibits a chromosome number that typically ranges within the values of 28, 30, or 32, reflecting intra-specific fluctuations often observed in widespread medicinal shrubs. Furthermore, the plant primarily functions at a diploid ploidy level, indicated by a ploidy value of 2, which serves as the baseline for its reproductive and developmental stability.

Chromosome number :

28,30,32

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Dodonaea viscosa is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its perennially active buds are elevated above the ground, typically manifesting as a woody shrub. This growth habit is further supported by its classification as a phanerophyte, ensuring structural stability and longevity within its ecological niche. Throughout its life cycle, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, meaning it retains its foliage year-round rather than shedding it seasonally, providing continuous photosynthetic activity and a stable presence in its habitat.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Dodonaea viscosa is characterized by its woody growth form, which allows it to function as both a shrub and a tree. As a terrestrial species, it is an independent organism that does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. The plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. In terms of stature, its height is variable, ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 9 m, with a mean plant height of approximately 4.5375 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

9 m

Plant height mean:

4.5375 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Dodonaea viscosa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation process and metabolic efficiency. The plant's foliar morphology is highly variable, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 15 cm, while the leaf width fluctuates between 0.1 cm and 4 cm. Structurally, the species does not exhibit succulence, maintaining standard leaf tissue density rather than specialized water-storing parenchyma. Additionally, Dodonaea viscosa does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on external soil nutrient availability for its nitrogen requirements.

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

0.1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Dodonaea viscosa is characterized by a specific flowering period that typically begins in February and concludes in May. During this stage, the plant produces inflorescences that are relatively small, ranging in length from a minimum of 0.01 m to a maximum of 0.05 m. The pollination process is primarily driven by a bee pollination syndrome, and the plant exhibits an absence of self-fertilization, necessitating cross-pollination. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops fruit in the form of a capsule. These capsules are dehiscent and vary in size, with lengths ranging from 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm and widths ranging from 0.1 cm to 0.6 cm. The seeds contained within these fruits are quite light, with a mean mass of approximately 0.006623776 g, though individual seed masses can fluctuate between a minimum of 0.00308 g and a maximum of 0.01594 g. Dispersal of the seeds is facilitated through a combination of syndromes, specifically utilizing both zoochorous (animal-mediated) and anemochorous (wind-mediated) methods to ensure distribution.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Feb

Flowering time :

May

Fruit length max:

1.5 cm

Fruit length min:

0.5 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

0.6 cm

Fruit width min:

0.1 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.05 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.01 m

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Seed mass max:

0.01594 g

Seed mass mean:

0.006623776 g

Seed mass min:

0.00308 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Dodonaea viscosa has 4 reported plant parts identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, flower, root, seed.

Leaf

1. Journal of infection and public health
2. Scientific reports
3. Phytotherapy research : PTR
4. Fitoterapia
5. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Flower

1. Scientific reports
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Root

1. Journal of natural products

Seed

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Dodonaea viscosa has 78 reported phytochemicals identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include quercetin, Flavonoids, kaempferol, BETA-SITOSTEROL, Epicatechin.

quercetin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Frontiers in pharmacology
3. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
4. International journal of molecular sciences
5. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Flavonoids

1. Scientific reports
2. Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology
3. Natural product research

kaempferol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Frontiers in pharmacology
3. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke
2. Die Pharmazie

Epicatechin

1. Scientific reports
2. Nutrients

Gallic acid

1. Scientific reports
2. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Penduletin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Die Pharmazie

Phenols

1. Journal of infection and public health
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

STIGMASTEROL

1. Dr. Duke
2. Die Pharmazie

1A

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Activities

Dodonaea viscosa has 317 reported activities identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antifeedant.

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of infection and public health
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Biomedical reports
5. Pharmaceutical biology

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Nutrients
3. Biomedical reports
4. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
5. Pharmaceutical biology

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of infection and public health
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antidiabetic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutical biology

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimalarial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Pharmaceutical biology

Antiproliferative

1. Journal of natural products
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antipyretic

1. Dr. Duke
2. ACS omega

Antispasmodic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Medicinal Uses

Dodonaea viscosa has 31 reported medicinal uses identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, oxidative stress, skin diseases, wounds, Candida albicans.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations