Common Name: Soapberry

General Information

Soapberry is an attractive evergreen tree with a dense, broad, globose crown; usually growing 9 - 15 metres tall with occasional specimens larger. The short bole can be 56cm in diameter[, ].
The fruit is a rich source of saponins and is often used as a soap - it is sold in local markets. The tree also supplies an oil, insecticide, timber and seeds that are used as beads. It is sometimes grown for its fruit and is often planted as an ornamental and to provide shade in the tropics and subtropics[].

Known Hazards

The seeds are toxic[]. They are used as a fish poison[]. The fruits and the seeds contain up to 30% emulsifying saponins[, ].
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[].

Botanical References

,

Range

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

Habitat

Moist or dry thickets and open forest[]. Dry, coastal, limestone thickets[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in a sunny position in any well-drained soil[]. Plants are very tolerant of a wide range of soils, including those that are dry, stony or nutrient deficient[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[]. Tolerant of salt-laden winds[].
Plants have a moderate rate of growth, able to reach a height of around 2.5 metres within 2 years from seed[].
The flowers are mostly male, with some female flowers and also some bisexual. The male flowers are produced in great quantities, they seem to fall from the tree almost like rain and litter the ground beneath[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A medicinal oil has been obtained from the crushed seeds[].

The root and stem barks are astringent, bitter and tonic[, ].

The fruit is diuretic[]. Rich in saponins, it is used for curing anaemia[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A plant of moderate growth-rate that is tolerant of a wide range of soils and environmental situations; provides food for the native fauna; materials and medicines for humans; and is tolerant of sunny situations, this is an excellent pioneer species to use when restoring native woodland and also for establishing woodland gardens[, ].

Other Uses

When cut up and soaked in water, the fleshy fruit (which smells of strawberries) produces soapy suds[]. The husks contain about 30% saponins and are used in some areas to wash wool and silk with remarkable rejuvenating results[]. The fruit is used as a soap and hair shampoo[].
The orange-brown fruit is about 2cm in diameter[].

An insecticide has been made from the crushed seeds[].

An oil is obtained from the seed[].

A fibre obtained from the inner bark is used to make ropes[].

The ornamental, black, shiny seeds have been used as beads and for making craftwork, rosaries and buttons[, ].

The heartwood is yellow to light brown; the sapwood whitish. The wood is coarse-textured, compact, hard, moderately heavy, not durable when exposed[, ]. It can be used in building construction, making toys, boxes etc[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. A low to moderate rate of germination can usually be expected, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 40 days[]. When the seedbed-sown seedlings are 4 - 6cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 6 - 7 months later[].
The seed stores well even when kept at ambient temperatures and humidity, still germinating satisfactorily after more than 12 months in storage[].
Greenwood cuttings.

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