Campus Tree Tour
Sapindaceae – Soapberry Family
In 2024, this Florida soapberry measured 44.8 feet tall and had a diameter of 14 inches. Based on USDA Forest Service models, it will absorb approximately 862.84 lbs. of carbon over the next 20 years. Put simply, this tree alone will offset up to 3,492 car miles worth of carbon dioxide.
See all species on the Campus Tree Tour.
Introduction
The Florida soapberry, or the wingleaf soapberry, is a medium-sized tree occasionally planted in urban landscaping. Native to coastal regions, the tree is recognized for its vibrant green leaves and orange fruit. Indigenous people used the tree for material and medicinal purposes, and its toxic fruit can be used to create a natural soap.
Physical Description
Life expectancy: 40 – 60 years
Height: 30 – 40 feet
Crown: 25 – 35 feet
Diameter: Up to 18 inches
Bark: Grey, initially smooth bark that develops loose, flaking plates as it ages.
Leaves: Deciduous and alternately arranged upon the twig. Leaves are pinnately compound with an even number of leaflets and no terminal leaflet. Leaflets are long and curved with a blunt, tapering tip with a round base.
Leaflets are dark green and glossy (glabrous) with smooth, entire margins.
Twigs: New growth is green with small lenticels that become less prominent with time.
Flowers: Small, creamy yellow and green flowers that form in clusters upon a panicle. Has both staminate (male) and pistillate (female) flowers that bloom in early spring.
Fruits: Fleshy, round, ball-like, drupes that form in dense clusters. They are medium sized (1/2 to 1 inch) fruit that are yellowish brown to orange in color with leathery skin. The fruit is mildly toxic.
Key Identification Characteristics: Found in coastal sites, compound leaves, alternate arrangement
Past and Present Uses
The Florida soapberry has been used historically by indigenous people and early settlers. Due to its toxicity, indigenous hunting tribes used the fruit to poison fish for consumption. When soaked in water, the fruit produces suds used as soap. The oils released from the crushed soapberry seeds rendered insecticides. The seeds were also beads for craftwork and rosaries. Fibers from the inner bark made ropes, while wood crafted toys and boxes.
The Florida soapberry is occasionally chosen as an urban tree for its bright green leaves and tolerance to poor soils. However, this tree must be planted strategically since the fruit is sticky and poisonous to humans.
Ecological Importance
Origin: Native to the United States
Native Range: Found within the coastal plain of the Southeastern United States, from Arizona north to Mississippi, and southeast to Florida and Texas.
Figure 1. Native range of Florida soapberry. Photo credit: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Florida soapberries are tolerant to salty and humid conditions, and they commonly grow in hammocks, coastal scrubs, maritime sites, and in sandy, well-drained soils. They are also found along streams and on limestone uplands.
Since the berries contain poisonous saponins and the tree has limited edible parts, the Florida soapberry is not used as a food source. However, birds and mammals may use the tree for cover, while its flowers may attract pollinators like bees.
More Information
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST582
References
Hodel, D. (2012). Trees in the landscape, Part 6: Sapindus Saponaria. Western Arborist. https://ucanr.edu/sites/HodelPalmsTrees/files/186125.pdf
i-Tree. (2006). Tree tools - calculate the benefits of trees!. i-Tree. https://www.itreetools.org/
Meet the natives: Soapberry: Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation. Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation. (2021, July 1). https://sccf.org/blog/2021/07/01/meet-the-natives-soapberry/
Pfaf Plant Search. (n.d.). Sapindus saponaria - L. Plants for a Future. https://pfaf.org/User/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Sapindus%2Bsaponaria#:~:text=An%20insecticide%20has%20been%20made,buttons%5B307%20%2C%20451%20%5D
Sapindus saponaria. Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS). (n.d.). https://www.fnps.org/plant/sapindus-saponaria
Tirmenstein, D. A. (1990). Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/tree/sapsapd/all.html
USDA, NRCS. (n.d.). Sapindus saponaria L. . USDA Plants Database. https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=SASA4