Soap-nut tree of South India
Sapindus trifoliatus

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A large tree. The leaves are 15-30 cm long. They have 2-3 pairs of leaflets. These are 8-18 cm long by 5-8 cm wide. They are narrowly sword shaped. The fruit has 2-3 lobes. There is one seed in each cell. The seeds are black and 6-9 mm long.

The fruit are used for soap.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows along the coast and in lowland areas in West Africa. It grows in mixed forests between 200-1,500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Cameroon, Central Africa, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, West Africa

How it is used for food

CAUTION: The plants contain saponins.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, caution

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

In southern India plants flower and fruit December to April.

Its other names

Local names

Chavakari, Kinpadi, Pohon lerak tigadaun

Synonyms

Sapindus laurifolius Vahl.;