Dodonaea viscosa Jacq.
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Description
Dodonaea viscosa is a small evergreen shrub or small tree, usually 1–8 m tall, with a dense rounded crown. The plant is highly branched, and young shoots are often sticky due to glandular secretions. Bark is grey-brown and becomes rough with age. Leaves are simple, alternate, leathery, and resinous, usually 4–15 cm long and 1–3 cm wide. The leaf blade is narrow elliptic to lanceolate, often slightly curved, with entire margins, acute apex, and a glossy surface. Leaves are strongly sticky when young due to resinous glands. Flowers are small, greenish-yellow, unisexual or bisexual, arranged in axillary or terminal panicles. Flowers lack showy petals. Sepals are usually 3–5, stamens are numerous in male flowers, and the ovary is superior. The fruit is a distinctive winged capsule, usually 1–2 cm wide, with three or four papery wings. The fruit changes from green to reddish-brown at maturity and splits open to release small black seeds.
Diagnostic Characters
Distribution
Native range: Tropical and subtropical regions of Asia. Australia. Africa. Pacific Islands.
In Pakistan: Common in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Middle East. In Pakistan it occurs naturally in Salt Range, Dry hills, Sandy areas, Scrub forests.
Phenology
Ethnobotany & Uses
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Where it grows on campus
Taxonomic Notes
Dodonaea viscosa belongs to Sapindaceae, a family mainly recognized by Compound or simple leaves, Small flowers, Capsule or berry fruits. The species is highly variable and has several regional forms. Diagnostic characters Sticky leaves, Winged capsules.