Common Name:

General Information

Sapindus trifoliatus is an evergreen tree with a dense, broad crown; it can grow up to 25 metres tall[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its seed, which is used medicinally and as a source of saponins. The seeds are very widely used and are sold in quantity in markets. It is often cultivated for these seeds[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the lowland tropics and subtropics, where it is found at elevations up to 500 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 32 - 40°c, but can tolerate 10 - 47°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about 2°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 500 - 2,500mm[].
Prefers a position in full sun[]. Very tolerant of a wide range of well-drained soils, including those that are dry, stony and nutrient deficient[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 6.5, tolerating 5.5 - 7[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The fruit is rich in saponins. It is used as a substitute for soap in washing clothes, particularly delicate and natural fabrics[, ]. It is also used for removing the tarnish from, and restoring, silver objects.


The wood is hard. It is used for making various small articles[]. The root, bark and fruit are used in native medicine;

Propagation

Seed -
Greenwood cuttings.

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