Habitat

In South India Sapindus emarginatus is common in coastal regions and in open forests at low elevations. It is cultivated to line avenues and the boundaries of dry, agricultural fields.

Description

A medium to large size deciduous tree growing up to 18m in height with a 1.5 m girth.

Bark: Grey, shiny, covered with rough deciduous scales.

Leaves: Abruptly pinnate, I 2~30 em long. Leaflets 2~3 pairs, lanceolate, elliptic or oblong, acuminate or emarginate at the tip, dull above.

Flowers: White, polygamous, male flowers, numerous, a few bisexual, both found in the same rust pubescent panicles. Bisexual flowers reward pollen and nectar to bees.

Flowering: October~December depending on climatic changes. Flowers open at about 0700 hours.

Pollen: Stamens within a flesh disc produce a large number of pollen grains. Pollen loads are medium to large and cream coloured. Pollen grains are small, oblate, trizonocolporate, ornamentation psilate.

Fruits: Drupes fleshy, 2~3 drupes partially united, seeds pea~size, enclosed in a blackish, hard endocarp.

Wood: yellow and hard.

Uses:

The kernels are eaten by local people and leaves are cut for animal fodder. Dry fruits of soapnut have been exported from India since ancient times. Soapnuts are largely used as detergents for washing hair and clothes, particularly silk, woollen and other delicate fabrics. They are also used as a substitute for soap, and by jewellers for restoring the brightness of ornaments.

[Bees for Development Journal #47]