Sapindus is a genus of about thirteen species ofshrubs and smalltrees in thelychee family,Sapindaceae and tribeSapindeae. It is native to warmtemperate totropical regions of the world. The genus includes bothdeciduous andevergreen species. Members of the genus are commonly known assoapberries[3] orsoapnuts because the fruit pulp is used to makesoap. The generic name is derived from theLatin wordssapo, meaning "soap", andindicus, meaning "ofIndia".[4]
Theleaves are alternate, 15–40 cm (5.9–15.7 in) long,pinnate (except inS. oahuensis, which has simple leaves), with 14-30leaflets, the terminal leaflet often absent. Theflowers form in largepanicles, each flower small, creamy white. Thefruit is a small leathery-skinneddrupe 1–2 cm (0.39–0.79 in) in diameter, yellow ripening blackish, containing one to threeseeds.
Soapnut is used with natural dyes to color the yarn of Tasar silk.Sapindus emarginatus leaves, India
The drupes (soapnuts) containsaponins, which havesurfactant properties, being used for washing by ancient Asian and American peoples.[5][6] A number of other uses forSapindus have also been reported such as making arrows from the wood and decorative objects from the seeds.[7]
Sapindus species are used as food plants by thelarvae of someLepidoptera (moths and butterflies) species includingEndoclita malabaricus. Kernel extracts of soapnut disrupt the activity of enzymes of larvae and pupae and inhibit the growth of themosquitoAedes aegypti, an importantvector of viral diseases.[9]
The number of species is disputed between different authors, particularly inNorth America where between one and three species are accepted. As of February 2024[update],Plants of the World Online includes:[11]
^ab"GRIN Species Records ofSapindus".Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2007-04-30. Retrieved2010-11-01.
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Data related toSapindus at Wikispecies