Synonyms:
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Common names:
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Western soapberry (English)
Wingleaved soapberry (English)
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Frequency:
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Status:
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Introduced and occasional becoming naturalized. |
Description:
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Small to medium-sized deciduous tree. Leaves alternate, pinnate, 20-38 cm long with rhachis winged; leaflets 6-20, lanceolate, thick and leathery leaflets, 5-13 cm long; margins entire. Inflorescences in dense terminal branched heads, 15-20 cm long. Flowers numerous, small, white. Fruit in large pyramidal clusters, 3-3.6 cm wide, golden yellow when ripe. |
Notes:
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Derivation of specific name:
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saponaria: soapy, referring to the fruit. These contain a large amount of saponin, which, mashed with water produces a soapy lather formerly used for laundering clothes. |
Habitat:
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Planted along roads and in gardens or parks; occasionally escaping and becoming naturalized, mainly along roadsides or in exotic plantations. |
Altitude range: (metres) |
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Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution:
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Native from Mexico to Argentina; introduced and naturalized in Tropical Africa and part of Southeast Asia. |
Zimbabwe distribution:
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C |
Growth form(s):
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Tree.
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Endemic status:
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Red data list status:
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Insects associated with this species:
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Spot characters:
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Display spot characters for this species |
Literature:
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