Dodonaea viscosa or ake ake is found in the North, South and Chatham Islands of New Zealand. This species is not endemic, and is widespread in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions of Africa, the Americas, southern Asia and Australasia, with variant forms. In New Zealand it is found from sea-level to 550m, in lowland scrub and forests, particularly coastal areas from North Cape to Banks Peninsula in the east, and just south of Greymouth in the west. An attractive shrub to small tree up to 2.4-6m tall, it is quite dry hardy and wind tolerant, making it great on dry banks, as a shelter plant or in a hedge in coastal districts. It has attractive pale green foliage which makes a great contrast to darker foliage. Its lime green seed capsules that appear in summer are quite ornamental and very useful in floral arrangements. It prefers light to medium, well drained soil, so in heavier soils it will require drainage. Although quite hardy it may require some frost protection in some districts, such as parts of Canterbury. Its wood is very dense and heavy and was used by pre-European Maori to make clubs and other weapons.