Western Soapberry

Sapindus drummondii

Sapindaceae (The Soapberry Family)

No photos available at this time.

Location on or near Missouri State University campus:  unknown

                          Sapindus drummondii:  Western Soapberry

                  ·         leaves alternate, pinnately compound, 10-15” long with 8-18 oval-lanceolate leaflets; leaflets are shiny dark green above and pubescent underneath; margins entire; often has good yellow-gold fall color

                  ·         stems are stout, with ridges, gray, with short hairs

                  ·         bark is shallowly furrowed, becoming platey with age, and under-bark is orange-brown

                  ·         grows 25-50’ tall, and about equally wide

                  ·         flowers are yellow-white, in large panicles in May and June; showy

                  ·         fruit is a translucent yellow-green to  yellow to orange drupe that ripens in October and remains on the tree; the fleshy tissue around the seed when mixed with water makes a foamy lather—hence the name “soapberry”

                  ·         prefers dry, fertile soils, but tolerant of infertile soils as well—good urban tree, except for slimy fruit litter; probably should be used more in areas where tree is surrounded by lawns

                  ·         native to extreme southwest Missouri