Hopbush
Dodonaea viscosa
The hopbush can grow up to 5 metres tall and is found in grassy shrubland on lower mountain slopes and near the coast. More about this plant on www.kew.org
Related object in the collection
Digging stick
On display in room 25
The inhabitants of Elands Bay Cave in the Western Cape were making extensive use of Dodonaea viscosa wood for fuel between 8,000 and 10,000 years ago.
Hopbush wood is extremely tough and durable, and has been used by the San people to make implements including digging sticks.
Images:
Hopbush © Richard Wilford, Stephen Ruddy, RBG Kew
Digging stick, with point made of antelope horn
© Trustees of the British Museum
