Dodonaea viscosa (Linn.) Jacq.
شحس، شرياز، دودونيا، شت، شرص
For people
- Eaten by people
- Not edible
- Toxic to people
- Toxic
For livestock
- Grazed by livestock
- Limited fodder
- Toxic to livestock
- Toxic
Edibility and safety notes
Not a food plant and best treated as poisonous: the leaves contain saponins and are slightly cyanogenic, and the seeds were used as a fish poison, so plant databases advise against eating or chewing any part (the bitter fruits were only used as a hop substitute in brewing). For livestock it is at best an emergency browse in drought, and some sources say it is avoided. Fatal liver poisoning of cattle after eating the leaves, fresh or dried, has been documented, so animals should not be fed on it.
This guide is a hobby project, not expert advice. Never eat a wild plant, or feed it to animals, on the strength of this page alone. Read the disclaimer
Description
A shrub growing 1-3 m tall, rarely a small tree to 9 m. Leaves are variable, generally obovate to lanceolate, 4-7.5 cm long, alternate, secreting a resinous substance. Papery seed capsules with 3-4 rounded wings turn from green to yellow-green then brilliant pink and red.
Habitat
Common on dry rocky slopes, canyons (often on limestone), grassy savannas and coastal hammocks. Resistant to salinity, drought and pollution.
Distribution
Cosmopolitan distribution in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions of Africa, the Americas, southern Asia and Australasia. Originated in Australia.
Pastoral value
Not a primary forage. In tropical Africa it is browsed by livestock and camels and used as emergency fodder in dry periods, though some sources report it is not browsed. Fatal liver poisoning of cattle from eating the leaves has been documented. A good bee plant (nectar and pollen).
Other uses
Used for dune stabilisation, erosion control, hedges and windbreaks. The hard wood is used for tool handles, as fuel and for charcoal; the bark and leaves contain tannin. The seeds have been used as a fish poison, and the bitter fruits were formerly used in place of hops and yeast in brewing. Traditionally used in folk medicine in several countries.
Sources
- الدليل الحقلي المصور للنباتات البرية في سلطنة عُمان (BOOK.pdf p.191)
- Useful Tropical Plants - Dodonaea viscosa — tropical.theferns.info
- Plants For A Future - Dodonaea viscosa — pfaf.org
- Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira - poisoning of cattle by Dodonaea viscosa (natural outbreak) — scielo.br
- UFRGS repository - experimental poisoning by Dodonea viscosa in cattle — lume.ufrgs.br
- PROTA (PlantUse) - Dodonaea viscosa — uses.plantnet-project.org(PROTA)
- PlantUse - Dodonaea viscosa (Bekele-Tesemma, 2007) — uses.plantnet-project.org(Bekele-Tesemma,_2007)
- PROTA - Dodonaea viscosa (Pl@ntUse) — plantuse.plantnet.org(PROTA)