Common names
Balloon Hop-bush
Green Hop-bush
Etymology
Dodonaea named after Rembert Dodoens (1517-1585), a Flemish physician and botanist, also known under his Latinized name Rembertus Dodonaeus. Petiolaris from Latin meaning petiolate, alluding to the long petiolate (stalked) leaves.
Distribution and status
Found in the far north-east corner of South Australia growing on the lower sections of the rocky slopes of mesa hills. Also found in Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales. Native. Rare in South Australia. Common in the other States.
Herbarium region: Lake Eyre
NRM region: South Australian Arid Lands
AVH map: SA distribution map (external link)
Plant description
Erect branching shrub to 2 m high with sticky simple, broad-lanceolate to ovate leaves to 60 mm long and 25 mm wide. Fruits are maroon balloon-like three-winged fruit. Seed embryo type is folded.
Seed collection and propagation
Collect seeds between September and October. Collect winged capsules that contain hard black seeds, usually when capsule is large and turning red or brown. Place capsules in a tray to dry for 1 to 2 weeks. Then rub the capsules by hand to dislodge the seeds. Use a sieve to separate the unwanted material. Store the seeds with a desiccant such as dried silica beads or dry rice, in an air tight container in a cool and dry place. From one collection, the seed viability was average, at 70%. This species has physiological dormancy that needs to be overcome for the seed to germinate (e.g. nicking the seed coat).
Location | No. of seeds (weight grams) | Number of plants | Date collected | Collection number Collection location | Date stored | % Viability | Storage temperature |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BGA | 860 (21.01 g) | 40 | 26-Sep-2008 | DJD1213 Lake Eyre | 20-Jul-2009 | 100% | -18°C |