Akeake

dodonaea viscosa

Akeake (Dodonaea viscosa), also known as the hop bush, is a hardy and versatile evergreen shrub or small tree native to New Zealand, Australia, and other tropical and subtropical regions. Renowned for its extreme resilience, its Maori name 'Akeake' translates to 'forever and ever,' hinting at its tough nature and ability to survive in harsh coastal environments, dry soils, and strong winds. It plays an important role in ecological restoration, quickly colonizing disturbed ground and providing shelter for other native plants to establish. In traditional Maori culture, its incredibly dense, heavy wood was prized for crafting durable weapons, digging sticks, and walking canes.

Habitat: Typically found in coastal dunes, lowland forests, open scrublands, and rocky cliffsides where it tolerates salty winds and poor soils.

Appearance

Akeake typically grows as a multi-branched shrub or small tree reaching heights of 2 to 9 meters. It features simple, light green to bronze-green, narrow leaves that are alternate and secrete a sticky, resinous substance, giving them a slightly shiny appearance. In spring and summer, it produces small, inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers that lack petals, which develop into highly distinctive, papery, two-to-four-winged seed capsules. These seed pods mature from a pale green or creamy yellow to a dry light brown, resembling hops, and are easily dispersed by the wind.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSapindalesFamilySapindaceaeGenusDodonaea

Akeake

Interesting facts

Akeake wood is one of the densest and heaviest of any New Zealand native tree, so heavy that it sinks in water when green.

Early European settlers in Australia and New Zealand used the winged seed pods of this plant as a substitute for hops in beer brewing, giving it the common name 'hop bush'.

The Maori name 'Akeake' means 'forever and ever,' referencing the incredible strength and durability of the wood.

Special abilities

Secretes a sticky, resinous film over its leaves that minimizes water loss and protects the plant from salt spray and intense UV radiation.

Produces light, papery, winged seed capsules that act as sails, allowing the wind to transport seeds over long distances to colonize new areas.

Possesses flexible branches and tough, leather-like foliage that withstand strong gales and highly saline coastal environments where other trees fail.

Measurements & details

Length: 200-900 cm
Lifespan: 15-60 years

Diet & Feeding

As a photosynthetic plant, Akeake generates its own organic nutrients from sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water while absorbing essential minerals through its root system.

Primary Foods

Sunlight
Carbon dioxide
Water
Soil minerals

Ecological connections

eaten by

Puriri Moth

Aenetus virescens

The caterpillars of this moth feed on the wood of the Akeake, boring tunnels into the stems.

mutualism

New Zealand Bellbird

Anthornis melanura

Feeds on the nectar of Akeake flowers and helps in pollination.

mutualism

Puriri

Vitex lucens

Akeake provides shelter and canopy cover, aiding the germination and growth of slower-growing canopy trees like the Puriri.

Traits

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Also known as

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Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

No special safety notes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Akeake?

The easiest way to identify Akeake is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Akeake?

200-900 cm

How long does Akeake live?

15-60 years

What does Akeake eat?

As a photosynthetic plant, Akeake generates its own organic nutrients from sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water while absorbing essential minerals through its root system.

Where is Akeake usually found?

Typically found in coastal dunes, lowland forests, open scrublands, and rocky cliffsides where it tolerates salty winds and poor soils.