Dodonaea triquetra: Hop Bush

Dodonaea triquetra
also known as common hop bush or large leaf hop bush

A common shrub of Eastern Australian origin, it grows as an erect shrub upwards of 3 meters in height. It has 5-12 cm long elliptic or lanceolate or ovate leaves, that form tiny yellow-green flowers on panicles, creating purplish fruit with seeds coming from a winged capsule 9-16 mm in length. It is found in the forest understory in wet or dry sclerophyll forests and sedimentary soils.

Uses:

Settlers used the capsules as a substitute for hops. It is common ornamental plant. Bird seed.

Aboriginals used the fruit to relieve toothaches and fevers.

References:

  • Bluedale Wholesale Nursery n.d. “Commercial Nursery – Native Shrub: Dodonaea triquetra: Common Hop Bush, Large Leaf Hop Bush”. Website referenced 6/22/21 at https://bluedale.com.au/portfolio-item/dodonoea-triquetra-common-hop-bush-large-leaf-hop-bush-native-shrubs/.
  • Paten Park Native Nursery n.d. “Dodonaea triquetra: Forest Hop Bush”. Website referenced 6/22/21 at https://ppnn.org.au/plantlist/dodonaea-triquetra/
  • Wikipedia n.d “Dodonaea triquetra”. Website referenced 6/22/21 at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodonaea_triquetra.