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Sapindus marginatus - Willd.

Common Name Wingleaf soapberry
Family Sapindaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards The seed is poisonous[1]. The fruit is poisonous[149].
Habitats Hammocks near the coast[72].
Range South-western N. America - Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Sapindus marginatus Wingleaf soapberry


Sapindus marginatus Wingleaf soapberry

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Sapindus marginatus is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft 3in) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in leaf from April to October, in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen in November. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

S. saponaria var. saponaria

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Canopy;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit[105, 177]. The fruit is eaten by native North American Indians, though most white people find it repulsive[105].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Soap  Wood

A soap is obtained from the fruit by rubbing the fruit in water[46]. Used in Mexico for washing clothes[227]. The fruit can be dried and stored for later use[169]. Wood - heavy, strong, close-grained, splits easily[46, 72]. It splits easily into thin strips and is often used in basket making[46].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy outdoors in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors at least in the mildest areas of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun[220]. This species tolerates a wide range of soils, including those that are dry, stony and nutrient deficient[200]. Trees are relatively slow-growing in the wild[229].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - requires some cold stratification. Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and sow in a cold frame in mid-winter. Move to a greenhouse in early spring. The seed should germinate in late spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant out in early summer. Cuttings of almost ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Fairly good percentage[78].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Alabama)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Sapindus drummondiiWestern SoapberryTree12.0 7-10 SLMHNDM113
Sapindus mukorossiChinese Soapberry, Soap Berry, Chinese Soapberry, Soapnut TreeTree20.0 8-12 FLMHNDM124
Sapindus saponariaSoapberry, Wild Chinaberry, Florida Soap Berry, Soap Nut, Soap TreeTree10.0 10-12 MLMHNDM024

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Willd.

Botanical References

72

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

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