The Western Soapberry is a member of the Sapindaceae family.

Leaf and Bark Type:
Leaves are alternate and once compounded with a length of 6” to 18” long with 4 to 9 pairs of leaflets. Leaflets are lanceolate with a length on 1.5” to 4”, and less than 1” wide. Other characteristics include a pale yellow-green color with smooth margins and prominent veins.

Where does it grow and in what conditions:
This tree grows from Arizona to Louisiana and from Texas up to Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri. It grows primarily along rivers and canyon sides, as well as pasture ravines. It grows in highly calcareous soils or soils with a high clay content. Even though it is tolerant of dry soils, it thrives in moist and infertile soils. It can be commonly found in limestone soils as well. It grows well in semiarid climates, and requires an annual rainfall of 16 to 33 inches.

Pollinators:
The tree can have either male or female flowers, or both. It may self pollinate or it may not.

Fruit:
Fruits appear in clusters of round yellowish, small drupes. They ripen in September and October, but are poisonous if ingested due to containing saponins.

Uses:
The wood of the tree has little to no commercial value, but can be used by local residents to make boxes and baskets due to easily splitting into thing strips. Livestock do not eat the fruit unless other food is scarce. It is useful as a shade tree or as an ornamental. The fruit of the tree used to be crushed and used as a soap byt Native Americans, but can cause dermatitis in some people. Even though the berries are poisonous, they have been used in some medicinal treatments of fevers and kidney problems. The berries have even been used to make buttons and necklaces.

Submitted by Larrimer
Pictures coming soon

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