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Sapindus saponaria

Accession Count: 4

Common Name: western soapberry

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Family Name: Sapindaceae

Botanical Name: Sapindus saponaria

Sub Species:

Variety: drummondii

Forma:

Cultivar:

Characteristics: Western Soapberry has 13-19 lanceolate leaflets, 4-11 cm long and one to two cm wide.

Compound: Sap dru

Geographic Origin: Sonoran Desert

Ecozone Origin: Nearctic

Biome Origin:

Natural History:

Cultivation Notes: The species forms thickets in natural areas but can be shaped and trained into a single tree. The western soapberry is slow growing.

Ethnobotany: The western soapberry has amber-yellow berries. The fruits contain saponins and produce lather when chewed. The species is valued for its patio-size tree understory.

Height: 20 - 50 feet

Width: 20 - 50 feet

Growth Rate:

Grow Season: Summer

Flower Season: Spring

Color: White

Function:

Spread: Non-spreading

Allergen: Non-allergenic

Invasive:

Toxicity: Toxic

Hardy: Hardy

Water Use: Low water Use

Citations:
1. Turner, Raymond M, et al. Sonoran Desert Plants: An Ecological Atlas. University of Arizona Press, 1995.

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