Discover Top Posts Tagged with #dodonaea

#2987 - Parosteodes fictiliaria - Dodonaea Moth

A Geometrid moth native to much of Australia, and Lord Howe Island, where it feeds on the Sticky Hop Bush (Dodonaea viscosa).

Wellard, Perth, WA

#Wellard #Parosteodes #Geometridae #Dodonaea #australian moth

#2833 - Dodonaea viscosa - Sticky Hop-Bush

Named after Rembert Dodoens, a 16th Century Flemish botanist. AKA Broadleaf Hopbush, akeake in Aotearoa, and many other names in Australia, and other parts of the world.

And it's quite a few other parts of the world - the species originated in Australia, but in the last 2 million years has spread to the rest of Australasia, Africa, the Americas, and southern Asia, making it one of the world's most successful dispersers.

Usually grows as a shrub up to 3m high, and rarely as a tree at 9m. The wood is extremely durable and tough. In New Zealand, where it is heavier than any other native wood, the Māori use it for making weapons, carved walking staves, axe-handles, and weights on drill shafts.

The leaves produces a resinous compound that poisons unrelated plants that try to grow nearby, but that hasn't stopped people using the plant for dyes, to stimulate lactation in mothers, as a dysentery treatment, to cure digestive system disorders, skin problems and rheumatism, as incense for funerals and a hop substitute in beermaking.

Dodonaea viscosa is tolerant of strong wind, drought, salinity, and pollution, and easily colonises open areas and secondary forest. Popular as a hedge, windbreak, and decorative shrub, and can be grown from seed, but may require soaking the seed in very hot water before they'll germinate.

OPERA, Otago Peninsula, Aotearoa New Zealand

#Otago Peninsula Eco Restoration Alliance #Sapindaceae #Dodonaea #akeake #australian plant #new zealand plant #otago peninsula