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Dodonaea viscosa Jacq.

Family Name:	Sapindaceae
Common Name:	Hopbush, Switch Sorrel, Sand olive, Seringan Laut, Kayu Bertih, 车桑子

Dodonaea viscosa or Hopbush is a small tree or shrub that can grow to 8 m in height. It has elliptic to spoon-shaped, sticky leaves. The inflorescence bear 12 - 15 green flowers, each consist of 3 - 4 sepals. The fruit is a golden-coloured, inflated winged fruit that splits to release smooth black seeds upon maturity. Hopbush is a hardy coastal species tolerant to harsh conditions like salt sprays.

Full Sun

Little Water

Native to Singapore

Coastal Plant

Shrub

Tree

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Tree (Small (6m-15m)), Shrub
Maximum Height	8 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Pantropical regions
Native Habitat
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Local Conservation Status

Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	It is a small tree or shrub that can reach to 8 m in height.
Foliage	Leaves are elliptic to spoon-shaped, thin to papery, measuring 5 - 15 cm long by 1.5 - 4 cm wide. The leaves are glossy, slightly sticky to touch.
Flowers	Flowers are borne on a widely-branched inflorescence, bearing 12 - 15 flowers each. Flowers are green, consist of 4 sepals (sometimes 3) with sparse straight hairs along the margin near the tips.

Fruit	The fruit is an inflated, kidney-heart shaped capsule, 2-locular, measuring 8 - 12 mm long and 11 - 16 mm wide. The broad winged fruit turns from green to golden coloured when matured, splits to release smooth, black round seeds within.
Habitat	Occur in coastal vegetation, coastal limestone, behind beaches up to 90 m in altitude. <1,3>
Cultivation	The species can be propagated by seed or stem cutting, grows well in well-drained media, tolerant to harsh conditions like salt spray. <2>
Etymology	The species epipthet, viscosa derived from Latin viscosus, refers to its sticky leaves.
Ethnobotanical Uses	Timber & Products: The timber is commonly used for tool handles, fuel wood, walking sticks, turnery or engraving.

Landscaping Features

Landscape Uses	Coastal

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Pollination Method(s)	Abiotic (Wind)
Seed or Spore Dispersal	Biotic (Fauna)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Full Sun
Water Preference	Little Water
Plant Growth Rate	Moderate

Rootzone Tolerance	Saline Soils / Salt Spray, Well-Drained Soils
Propagation Method	Seed, Stem Cutting (Semi-Hardwood)

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Sticky

Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem	Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Obovate)
Foliar Venation	Reticulate
Foliar Margin	Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acuminate, Rounded
Foliar Base	Cuneate

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality	Bisexual Flowers , Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s)	Green

Flower Grouping	Cluster / Inflorescence
Individual Flower Shape	Cruciform / Cross-shaped
Flowering Habit	Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Yellow / Golden
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit
Fruit Type	Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule

Mature Seed Colour(s)	Black
Mature Seed Texture(s)	Smooth

References

References	<1> Leenhouts, P.W. (1994). Dodonaea. In: Adema, F., Leenhouts, P.W. & van Welzen, P.C. (eds). Sapindaceae, Flora Malesiana, ser.1, Seed Plants, vol. 11, pt. 3, pp. 522-527. Leiden: Rijksherbarium. <2> Ng, X.Y., Lua, H.K., Boo, C.M., Lim, R.C.J. (2021). Status and distribution of Dodonaea viscosa Jacq. in Singapore, Nature in Singapore, 14: 1-8. <3> van Welzen P.C. (2017). In: Kiew, R, Chung, R.C.K., Saw, L.G. & Soepadmo, E. (eds). Flora of Peninsular Malaysia, ser. 2, Seed Plants, Vol. 6, pp. 94-95. Selangor: Forest Research Institute Malaysia.

References

<1> Leenhouts, P.W. (1994). Dodonaea. In: Adema, F., Leenhouts, P.W. & van Welzen, P.C. (eds). Sapindaceae, Flora Malesiana, ser.1, Seed Plants, vol. 11, pt. 3, pp. 522-527. Leiden: Rijksherbarium.

<2> Ng, X.Y., Lua, H.K., Boo, C.M., Lim, R.C.J. (2021). Status and distribution of Dodonaea viscosa Jacq. in Singapore, Nature in Singapore, 14: 1-8.

<3> van Welzen P.C. (2017). In: Kiew, R, Chung, R.C.K., Saw, L.G. & Soepadmo, E. (eds). Flora of Peninsular Malaysia, ser. 2, Seed Plants, Vol. 6, pp. 94-95. Selangor: Forest Research Institute Malaysia.

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Master ID	29657
Species ID	3966
Flora Disclaimer	The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.

Species record last updated on: 26 March 2025.