Sapindus saponaria

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Wingleaf Soapberry

Form:	Tree
Size:	20-30 ft in northern Florida, 30-40 ft in southern Florida.
Life Span:	Long-lived perennial
Flower Color:	White,green
Fruit Color:	Brown
Phenology:	Deciduous in north Florida; evergreen in south Florida. Blooms in spring. Fruit ripens late summer-fall.
Noted for:	Interesting foliage

Recommended Uses:

Shade tree or specimen tree. Leaves may be evergreen in south Florida. Can be used as a street tree.

Considerations:

Seeds are apparently poisonous.

Propagation:

Seed.

Availability:

Native nurseries, Seed

Light:

Full Sun, Part Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

always floodedextremely dry

(Somewhat moist, no flooding ----- to ----- Very long very dry periods)

Moisture Tolerance:

Somewhat moist, no flooding ----- to ----- Very long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.

Salt Spray/ Salty Soil Tolerance:

Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Exposure to salt spray would be uncommon (major storms).

Soil or other substrate:

Loam, Sand

Soil pH:

Calcareous (high pH)

Wildlife:	Used by wildlife for cover, food.
Insects:	Flowers attract bees.
Native Habitats:	Hammocks, coastal scrub, shell mounds, along streams and on limestone uplands.

Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 11 8A 8B 9A 9B

USDA zones are based on minimum winter temperatures

Ethnobotany:	Saponin (extracted from the fruit) is an antimicrobial detergent. The plant has been used as a cure for a variety of ailments including skin problems, migraine headaches, epilepsy, and tumors. Recent research (2011) appears to support the folk-medicine use as an antivenom (please, get to a doctor immediately if bitten by a venomous snake -- don't self medicate!)
General Comments:	Range likely includes all of Florida. It is sporadic in northern Florida.