Compilation
Sapindus trifoliatus

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Name

Identification
Lepisanthes tetraphylla (Vahl) Radlk. [family SAPINDACEAE ] (stored under name); Verified by Leenhouts, P.W., Sapindus siamensis Radlk. [family SAPINDACEAE ] Sapindus trifoliatus L. [family SAPINDACEAE ] Lepisanthes siamensis Radlk. [family SAPINDACEAE ] Verified by Radlkofer, L.A.T.,
Related name
  • Lepisanthes siamensis
  • Lepisanthes tetraphylla
  • Allophylus abyssinicus
  • Sapindus siamensis
  • Sapindus trifoliatus
Common name
  • soapnut tree of S India (Chadha)., Burkill, H.M. 1985. The useful plants of west tropical Africa, Vol. 5

Flora

Entry for SAPINDUS trifoliatus L. [family SAPINDACEAE]
Herbarium
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K)
Collection
Flora of Tropical East Africa
Resource Type
Reference Sources
Entry From
Flora of Tropical East Africa, page 1, (1998) Author: DAVIES & B. VERDCOURT
Names
SAPINDUS trifoliatus L. [family SAPINDACEAE], Sp. Pl.: 367 (1753), as ‘ trifoliata ’; Radlk. in E.P. IV, 165: 656 (1932); Burkill, Dict. Econ. Prod. Malay Pen.: 1959 (1935); T.T.C.L.: 561 (1949); Dale, Introd. Trees Uganda: 64 (1953). Type: Rheede, Hort. Malab. 4: 43–44, t. 19 (1683) (holo.)
Information
Tree to 25 m.; branchlets purplish brown, lenticellate. Leaves 15–25(–35) cm. long; leaflets subopposite, in (1–)3(–4) pairs, elliptic-oblong to elliptic-lanceolate or obovate, (5–)10–20 cm. long, (3–)5.5–11 cm. wide, emarginate to ± acuminate at the apex, acute to truncate or rounded at the base, glabrous save for some pubescence on midrib above and beneath; lateral nerves in 8–15 pairs. Panicles 6–15 cm. long, with spreading branches, velvety brown-pubescent; sepals elliptic, 4 mm. long, silky tomentellous outside; petals narrowly rhomboid, 4 mm. long, the dorsal surface densely long-white-pubescent. Ovary pubescent; disk hairy. Fruit brown, 1.6–2.2 cm. wide, with (1–)3 subglobose hairy lobes. Fig. 23/4.
Range
DIST. U 3, K 7, T 6, 8 native of India now widely cultivated
Altitude range
± 0–1200 m.
Distribution
KENYA Kilifi District Rabai, van Someren 316TANZANIA Bagamoyo boma, 22 July 1960, Willan 520!TANZANIA Uzaramo District Dar es Salaam Botanic Garden, 21 Jan. 1977, Ruffo 1013!TANZANIA Lindi District Nachingwea, Berrie H191/64UGANDA Busoga District Vunamba Nile Forest, Aug. 1945, Wakabi 22!UGANDA Mbale Station, July 1945, Dale U418!
Notes
The soap-nut tree; the fruits of this are also used for soap.

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