PlantFiles: Western Soapberry
Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii

I am growing several of these from seed. I soaked them in warm water for a day, rubbed off the outer, wrinkly membrane, scratched them on the concrete, just enough so I could see a tiny dot of white from the embryo, then soaked them in water for another 2 days....half I put in a wet paper towel in a baggie on top of the fridge, the other half I put into 4-inch pots in the sun, mostly covered with dirt. About 50% are coming up within days of scarification, both in the pots and in the baggie.

This plant is grown as a large specimen shrub and a hedge as well as a tree. Its growth rate is moderate with supplemental water, slow without. It makes a very attractive hedge.
It is very cold-hardy, heat tolerant and drought resistant. In other words, an ideal low-maintenance plant for the southwest. Trim once a year in winter to maintain height and shape.

Very drought resistant. Needs sun. Graceful. Attractive in all seasons and great for wildlife. Attracts butterflies.

This tree was one of the stepping stones to my botanical passion. There is one growing on a road that used to be a good bike shortcut when I was a kid. I saw this tree and noted it's hard-to-define texture. It has more leaflets (in even numbers, not ending in a single leaf.) than an ash (a Very overused tree) and does not look like a willow. I also noticed the setting sun shining through the transparent dried amber fruits, and these glowed like little lights.

The tree I know of is very spherical and 20-30 feet tall. It is on the fenceline of an antique house that has never seemed to have residents to water the yard. -Very drought tolerant in our alkaline clay soil. There may be another one half it's size nearby, but beyond that, they exist alone. They are old enough to have survived quite a few sub-zero winters for sure.

In the name of biodiversity, I have recently collected seeds and planted some in my garden. I hope that after being naturally stratified, they will grow next spring, and the originals will not be alone in my valley.

Certainly a tree that one can't help but touch!

Another common name for this plant is Jaboncillo. I have not grown this plant so I am unable to give it a rating. Some people call it a "trash tree". In its natural habitat, I find it quite attractive all year. Containing a soaplike substance called saponin, a natural detergent, the fruits have been used as a substitute for soap. The soap is obtained from the fruit by rubbing the fruit in water and is used in Mexico for washing clothes. The fruit can be dried and stored for later use. Some people sustain a skin rash from this substance so be careful if using the fruit for this purpose.. The fruits are poisonous and should not be eaten. Sapindus in Latin means "soap of the Indes" and saponaria refers to the saponin found in the fruit; drummondii honors Thomas Drummond, who collected plants in Texas for Joseph Hooker.

It usually blooms in May and June and the fruits fully ripen in November. The fruits which are about about 15mm in diameter start out a green color and gradually change to a beautiful amber. When it loses its leaves in the winter, the marble sized transculent amber fruit show the black seed inside. The fruit tend to remain on the tree all winter.

It may be found on limestone bluffs, slopes and by streams in moist clay or dry limestone. It is adaptable to many types of soil and is drought tolerant. It will not grow in the shade; but, it will thrive at the sunny edge of a woodland.

When propagating, in mid-winter pre-soak the scarified seed for 24 hours in warm water and sow in a cold frame . Move to a greenhouse or other protected area in early spring. The seed should germinate in late spring. Place the seedlings in individual pots when they are large enough to handle and transplant in early summer. It can be propagated by using cuttings of almost ripe wood with a heel may be taken in July or August.

Buttons and necklaces are made from the seeds. The wood is close-grained, strong and heavy. Because it splits easily into thin strips, it is used in basket making. The wood is also used as a fuel.