Wing-leaf soapberry (Sapindus saponaria, Sp. Pl.: 367 (1753))

Family: Sapindaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 367 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Sapindus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Pacific, Trop. & Subtrop. America

Description

The Wing-leaf soapberry, scientifically known as Sapindus saponaria, is an intriguing species belonging to the Sapindaceae family. First described in the seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, this plant has historically captivated the interest of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.

Originating from the Pacific regions as well as tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas, Sapindus saponaria thrives in warm climates. Its adaptability to diverse environmental conditions across these regions has enabled it to flourish in a variety of habitats, from coastal zones to inland areas.

One of the distinguishing features of the Wing-leaf soapberry is its unique foliage. As its common name suggests, the leaves of this plant exhibit a wing-like structure, setting it apart from other members of the Sapindus genus. The plant produces small, yellowish flowers which eventually give way to distinctive, soapberry fruits. These fruits are not only fascinating in appearance but also historically significant due to their high saponin content, which naturalists and indigenous communities have utilized for their soap-producing properties.

The ecological value of Sapindus saponaria extends beyond its aesthetic appeal. It plays a role in soil stabilization and can be part of reforestation and habitat restoration projects. Additionally, this plant can be employed in traditional medicine and various other practical applications, making it an invaluable resource in the regions where it naturally occurs.

Understanding the botanical and ecological significance of the Wing-leaf soapberry provides insights into the intricate relationships within tropical and subtropical ecosystems. As a species that embodies both cultural heritage and environmental utility, Sapindus saponaria continues to inspire contemporary botanical studies and applications.

Common Names

Spa: jaboncillo
Deu: seifenbaum
Fra: bois de panama, savonnier
Swa: malita
Lub: murolo
Kon: nkokodia
Por: saboeira, saboeiro, saboneteira, sabonetinho, sabão-de-mico
Eng: soapberry, soaptree, southern soapberry, western soapberry, wing-leaf soapberry, wingleaf soapberry
Swe: såpbärsträd
En: Wing-leaf soapberry, Soapberry, Soaptree, Southern soapberry, Wingleaf soapberry, Western soapberry, Black nicker tree, Soap tree, Soapberry tree
Ar: صابونية غربية
Az: Çin sabunağacı
Zh: 无患子, 無患子
Hr: Sapun drvo
Fr: Bois de panama, Savonnier, Bois savon, Bois savonette, Savonnier saponaire
De: Seifenbaum
Kg: Nkokodia
Lu: Murolo
Ml: പശക്കൊട്ട
Fa: فندوق صابونی غربی
Pt: Saboeira, Saboeiro, Saboneteira, Sabonetinho, Sabão-de-mico, Fruta-de-sabão, Sabão-de-soldado
Pt-br: Fruta-de-sabão, Pau-de-sabão, Jequiriguaçú, Sabão-de-macaco, Sabão-de-soldado, Sabonete, Saboneteira
Qu: Sulluku
Ru: Мыльное дерево настоящее
Es: Jaboncillo
Sw: Malita
Sv: Såpbärsträd
Zh-tw: 無患子

Synonyms

• Sapindus saponaria f. genuinus (Radlk.)
• Sapindus alatus (Salisb.)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Cook Is. (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Hawaii (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Marquesas (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Society Is. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Southwest Caribbean (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Tuamotu (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Angola (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Cape Verde (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Easter Is. (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Galápagos (introduced)
• Guinea-Bissau (introduced)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
• Mali (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Samoa (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Uganda (introduced)
• Vanuatu (introduced)
• Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Zaïre (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Sep 5, 2019 by cliff leach (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 9, 2022 by Aly Diallo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 26, 2021 by Fabio Rizzo Matos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 17, 2019 by Rivera Gerardo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 21, 2022 by Jacques Fortin (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 26, 2019 by Gomes Lolla (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2019 by cliff leach (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2019 by Sánchez José Sánchez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 9, 2022 by Aly Diallo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 16, 2022 by Jaider Arenas (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Oct 23, 2013 by EOL − cristinamorenov (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 2, 2015 by EOL − Linda Jo Conn (cc-by-nc)

Taken Nov 17, 2014 by EOL − Erin Taylor (cc-by-nc)

Taken Nov 17, 2014 by EOL − Erin Taylor (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 7, 2002 by EOL − Steven J. Baskauf (cc-by-nc-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 6, 2016 by EOL − Cullen Hanks (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 25, 2021 by tamer abbara (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2015 by EOL − Paula Savage (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 9, 2022 by Benhadria Hafid (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2019 by geetha palanisamy (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Dec 14, 2017 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 7, 2019 by abdullah alkhathami (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 11, 2016 by EOL − naturenut (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 13, 2022 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Flower

Taken Apr 8, 2019 by geetha palanisamy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2022 by Yuhe Chen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 6, 2013 by EOL − Eric White (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2014 by EOL − Linda Jo Conn (cc-by-nc)

Taken Feb 22, 2016 by EOL − paloma (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8017915)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30035906-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sapindus saponaria L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Tree, Shrub

Growth