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Common Name: Western Soapberry

General Information

Sapindus drummondii is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 12.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

The seed is poisonous[]. The fruit is poisonous[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

South-western N. America - Kansas to Northern Mexico.

Habitat

Limestone bluffs, slopes and by streams[], in moist clay or dry limestone[]. Mexican valleys from the upper desert to the woodland zones[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun[]. This species tolerates a wide range of soils, including those that are dry, stony and nutrient deficient[].
One report says that this species will probably not survive long outdoors in Britain, even though it is the hardiest member of the genus[]. Another says that it is quite hardy in Britain[] whilst a third says that it can tolerate temperatures down to about -7°c[]. A specimen planted at Kew in 1987 was 2½ metres tall and looking very healthy in August 1999[].
Trees are relatively slow-growing in the wild[].

Edible Uses

Fruit[]. No more details from this report but another report says that it is poisonous[]. The berry-like fruits have a leathery coat that contains poisonous saponins[]. The fruit is about 15mm in diameter[] and often hangs on the tree until the following spring[].

Medicinal

The fruit is antirheumatic and febrifuge[]. It is used in the treatment of kidney diseases[, ].
A poultice of the sap has been used to treat wounds[].

Other Uses

A soap is obtained from the fruit by rubbing the fruit in water[, , , ]. Used in Mexico for washing clothes[]. The fruit can be dried and stored for later use[].
Buttons and necklaces are made from the seed[].
Wood - heavy, strong and close-grained[, ]. It weighs 51lb per cubic foot[]. It splits easily into thin strips and is often used in basket making, it is also used as a fuel[, , , ].

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, mid summer in a frame. Fairly good percentage[].