had a few bags of these in the freezer for years, never got round to making a beer with them.... might want to exercise caution or at least do some extensive research.....
read this.
Dodonaea viscosa
Common name: Native hops Family: Sapindaceae
Author: (L.) Jacq. Botanical references: 154, 200
Synonyms: Dodonaea attenuata (A.Cunn.)
Known Hazards: The leaves are slightly cyanogenic[152]. They are also said to contain saponins[181]. Although quite toxic, saponins are poorly absorbed by the body and most pass straight through without any problems. Saponins can be found in a number of common foods such as some types of beans. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].
Range: Australia, New Zealand and N. America.
Habitat: Rocky, stony or sandy soils in the montane zone of Victoria[154].
Plants For A Future Rating (1-5): 2
Other Possible Synonyms: From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
D. attenuata var. linearis[G] D. ehrenbergii[B,P] D. elaeagnoides[B,P] D. eriocarpa[B,P] D. eriocarpa var. amphioxea[B,P] D. eriocarpa var. confertior[B,P] D. eriocarpa var. costulata[B,P] D. eriocarpa var. degeneri[B,P] D. eriocarpa var. forbesii[B,P] D. eriocarpa var. glabrescens[B,P] D. eriocarpa var. hillebrandii[B,P] D. eriocarpa var. hosakana[B,P] D. eriocarpa var. lanaiensis[B,P] D. eriocarpa var. molokaiensis[B,P] D. eriocarpa var. oblonga[B,P] D. eriocarpa var. obtusior[B,P] D. eriocarpa var. pallida[B,P] D. eriocarpa var. sherffii[B,P] D. eriocarpa var. skottsbergii[B,P] D. eriocarpa var. vaccinioides[B,P] D. eriocarpa var. varians[B,P] D. eriocarpa var. waimeana[B,P] D. jamaicensis[B,P] D. microcarya[B,P] D. sandwicensis[B,P] D. sandwicensis var. latifolia[B,P] D. sandwicensis var. simulans[B,P] D. spathulata[B,P] D. stenoptera[B,P] D. stenoptera var. fauriei[B,P] D. viscosa subsp. angustissima[G] D. viscosa var. angustifolia[B,P] D. viscosa var. arborescens[B,P] D. viscosa var. linearis[B,P] D. viscosa var. spathulata[B,P] Dodonea viscosa[HORTIPLEX] Ptelea viscosa[B,P]
Other Common Names: From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
Dodonia [E], Florida Hopbush [P,B], Kayu Mesen [E],
Epithets: From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
viscosa = sticky;
Other Range Info: From the Ethnobotany Database
India; Iraq; Java; Mexico; Newguinea; Newguinea(Dani); Peru; Samoa; Sudan
Physical Characteristics
An evergreen shrub growing to 3m by 1.5m . It is hardy to zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). The plant not is self-fertile. We rate it 2 out of 5 for usefulness.
The plant prefers light (sandy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.
Habitats and Possible Locations
Hedge, Woodland, Sunny Edge.
Edible Uses
Condiment; Seed.
Seed[177, 183]. No further details are given.
The bitter fruits are a substitute for hops and yeast in making beer[177, 181, 183].
The chewed leaves are said to be stimulating[177, 183] but they contain saponins[181] and are also said to be slightly cyanogenic[152] so their use is not very advisable.
