Soapberry, Wild Chinaberry, Florida Soap Berry, Soap Nut, Soap Tree

Sapindus saponaria

Physical Characteristics

Sapindus saponaria is an evergreen Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid, very alkaline and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Distribution

S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Surinam; through the Caribbean to Florida and C. America to Mexico.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Oil Edible Uses: Oil None known

Medicinal Uses

Astringent Bitter Diuretic Tonic A medicinal oil has been obtained from the crushed seeds[307 ]. The root and stem barks are astringent, bitter and tonic[348 , 739 ]. The fruit is diuretic[348 ]. Rich in saponins, it is used for curing anaemia[739 ].

Known Hazards

The seeds are toxic[307 ]. They are used as a fish poison[331 ]. The fruits and the seeds contain up to 30% emulsifying saponins[307 , 348 ]. Although poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by carefully leaching in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also normally remove most of them. However, it is not advisable to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K ]. (Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested)