Dodonaea viscosa is a shrub belonging to the Sapindaceae family. Although it is a species typical of the Eastern Cordillera and its most common altitude distribution ranges from 2,000 masl to 3,000 masl, it is a species that tolerates various environmental conditions and can easily adapt to other altitude floors, which is why it is widely distributed in the country in departments such as Antioquia, Bolívar, Boyacá, Cesar, Cundinamarca, La Guajira, Huila, Magdalena, Meta, Nariño, Norte de Santander, San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina and Santander. (UNAL, 2021).
It is a shrub species so its height hardly exceeds 3 meters, being very common to find it in sizes that vary between 1.50 m and 2 m. It has very small flowers so it is difficult to see them and they are often confused with the fruit, which is larger and has a very striking color between pink and red.
It is a species of great importance in restoration processes and soil stabilization, whether in ravines or for protection against erosion, thanks to its fast-growing and propagating fibrous root system, it also tolerates drought and shade, and although its flowers are not very striking for the avifauna of the region, if they attract the attention of various insects present in the area (CONAFOR, 2021) .
( Black-backed Grosbeak, Pheucticus aureoventris
Dodonaea viscosa is a species that is quite attractive to birds and insects. In Cundinamarca this species has a recurrent visitor and it is the Pheucticus aureoventris, better known as the Black-breasted Grosbeak, a bird that feeds on fruits, seeds and in some cases insects. Several studies have shown that this bird consumes the fruits of Dodonaea viscosa in large quantities and its seeds are reflected in the bird's excreta, functioning as a pre-germination treatment for the seed. For the foregoing reasons, Fundación Red de Arboles considers Dodonaea viscosa an essential species for restoration because it not only establishes itself easily, but it is also very attractive for birds to return to these sites.