Sapindus marginatus

Sapindus marginatus
Stand of Sapindus marginatus trees
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Sapindaceae
Genus: Sapindus
Species:
S. marginatus
Binomial name
Sapindus marginatus
Synonyms[1]
  • Sapindus acuminatus Raf.
  • Sapindus falcatus Raf.
  • Sapindus manatensis Shuttlew. ex Radlk.

Sapindus marginatus, the Florida soapberry, is a tree native to Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. It grows to about 9.1 m (30 ft) tall. It has pale gray or brown, ridged bark. The leaves are up to 30 cm (1 ft) foot long with 6 to 13 leaflets. The leaflets are 5 to 15 cm (2 to 6 in) long and 2 to 7 cm (.75 to 2.75 in) wide, and have pointed tips with no teeth on the edges. The leaflets may be opposite or alternate. The leaves fall in the early spring.[2]

Florida soapberry is similar to tropical soapberry (Sapindus saponaria). Some botanists consider Florida soapberry to be the same species as tropical soapberry.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b "Sapindus marginatus Willd". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  2. ^ a b Linda G. Chafin (2010). "Sapindus marginatus" (PDF). Wildlife Resources Division. Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2026.