Soapberry Tree – Sapindus saponaria

Image Source: David Eickhoff (Wiki Commons)

Image Source: David Eickhoff (Wiki Commons)

• Grows up to 80 ft.
• Native Hawaiian tree, but also to Mexico, South American, and Africa.
• Found in moist areas.
• Name comes from Latin Words, such as “sapo” means soap and “indicus” means Indian.
• The fruit creates a lather when added to water due to the “Saponin” in contains.
• As a result, Hawaiians have used this fruit as soap.
• The black seeds are used to make leis.

    Source: (Majesty II, 1991)

• A’e is known elsewhere as soapberry.
• Prefers cooler elevations, thrives at sea level.
• Wind resistant, tolerates moderate drought.

    Source: (Rauch, 2000)

• Indigenous to the island of Hawaii
• Habitat ranges from islands if Pacific to Tropical America

    Source: (Wageman, 2008)