Dodonaea viscosa var angustifolia vrugte a Waterberg scaled e1587191180828
Dodonaea viscosa var angustifolia vrugte a Waterberg scaled e1587191180828

Common names: sand olive, iron tops (English); sandolien, ysterbos, ystertoppe (Afrikaans). 
Botanical name: Dodonaea viscosa var. angustifolia
Previously known as: Dodonaea angustifolia

Dodonaea viscosa var. angustifolia, also known as sand olive, is a versatile plant ideal for water-wise gardens. This evergreen shrub or small tree is drought and wind resistant, making it a low-maintenance addition to any garden. Its yellowish-green flowers and decorative clusters of fruits with papery wings make it an attractive choice for gardening. Sand olive has various traditional uses, such as treating colds, influenza, and stomach ailments. It is also effective for stabilizing sand dunes and controlling erosion.

Uses & Benefits: firewood, hedge, insect repellent, medicine, phyto-remediation, pot plant

All Plant Profiles

Nature & Cultivation

Family: Sapindaceae
Type: shrub, tree
Vegetation type:  
Flower colour: cream, pink
Flowering season: Autumn, Winter
Plant-animal interactions: butterflies
Red list status: Least Concern

Light-level: full sun
Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Soil pH: 
Propagation: seed

Use as Medicine

Safety: induces CYP450 enzyme

Herbal traditions: Cape Herbal Medicine, Khoi & San
Plant parts used: growing tips, roots

First-aid use: cold sores, eczema, rashes, stomach ache, thrush, toothache, wounds 
Medical use:  
Veterinary use:  

Plant qualities: 
Plant actions: analgesic / anodyne, anthelmintic / vermifuge, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-pruritic, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antiplasmoidial, antiviral, astringent, diaphoretic, febrifuge / anti-pyretic, hypoglycaemic / anti-diabetic, insect repellent, nutritive, purgative, vulnerary
Phytochemical constituents: dodonic acid, hautriwaic acid, isokaempferide, kaempferol, kumatakenin, mkapwanin, pinocembrin, polysaccharides, rhamnocitrin, santin, sitosterol, stigmasterol, tannins

Plant preparations: balm, compress, cream, decoction, dried, gargle, plaster, powder, salve, tincture

Related Products

Related Courses

No items found

Resources