Sapindus marginatus
| Sapindus marginatus | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 49' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Early Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Sapindus marginatus (common name: soapberry)
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[1].
Cultivation: 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[2]. This species tolerates a wide range of soils, including those that are dry, stony and nutrient deficient[3].
Trees are relatively slow-growing in the wild[4].
Range: South-western N. America - Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
Habitat: Hammocks near the coast[5].
Edibility: Fruit[6][7]. The fruit is eaten by native North American Indians, though most white people find it repulsive[6].
Usage: A soap is obtained from the fruit by rubbing the fruit in water[8]. Used in Mexico for washing clothes[9]. The fruit can be dried and stored for later use[10].
Wood - heavy, strong, close-grained, splits easily[8][5]. It splits easily into thin strips and is often used in basket making[8].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Mid Spring-Mid Fall
Seed Ripens: Late Fall
Flower Type: Monoecious
Known Hazards: The seed is poisonous[11]. The fruit is poisonous[12].
Links
References
- ↑ Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ Stapleton, Chris. Bamboos of Nepal. The Royal Botanic Gardens, 1994.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Elias, Thomas. The Complete Trees of North America. Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1980.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Small, John. Manual of the Southeastern Flora. Blackburn Press, 2004.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Vines, Robert. Trees of North Texas. University of Texas Press, 1982.
- ↑ Buchanan, Rita. A Weavers Garden.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Vines, Robert. Trees of Central Texas. University of Texas Press, 1987.