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Saponaria officinalis
| Common name: |
Soapwort |
Family: |
Caryophyllaceae |
| Author: |
L. |
Botanical references: |
17, 200 |
| Synonyms: |
|
| Known Hazards: |
The plant contains saponins[13]. Although toxic, these substances are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm. They are also broken down by thorough cooking. Saponins are found in many plants, including several that are often used for food, such as certain beans. It is advisable not to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K]. |
| Range: |
Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain and temperate Asia. |
| Habitat: |
Fields, roadsides and along the banks of streams[7]. |
| Edibility Rating (1-5): |
0 | Medicinal Rating (1-5): | 3 |
| Other Possible Synonyms: | From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below. |
| Lychnis saponaria[B,P]
S. officinalis var. glaberrima[G]
|
| Other Common Names: | From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below. |
| Bouncing Bet [S,H], Bouncing Bet, Soapwort [S], Bouncing-bett [B], Bouncingbet [L,P], Lady's Washbowl [H], Latherwort [H], Sabon-So [E], Sabunotu [E], Saponaria [E], Soapberry [S], Soaproot [E], Soapwort [S,H,E,L], Yebe Di Savon [E], Zeepkruid [D], |
| Epithets: | From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets |
|
officinalis = sold as an herb;
saponaria = soapy;
|
| Systematics: | From a USDA
Plants Database |
|
Order: Caryophyllales. Pink family
|
| Other Range Info: |
From the Ethnobotany Database |
|
Belgium; China; Eurasia; Spain; Turkey; Us; Us(Amerindian)
|
| Noxious, Invasive and Injurious Weeds | From USDA
PLANTS database, Weeds Australia
, DEFRA Injurious Weeds | | Listed as noxious/invasive for: Colorado. |
Physical Characteristics
Perennial growing to 1m by 1m at a medium rate. It is hardy to zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
We rate it 0/5 for edibility and
3/5 for medicinal use.
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil.
The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.
It requires moist soil.
Habitats and Possible Locations
Meadow, Hedgerow, Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, Ground Cover.Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal Uses
Disclaimer
Alterative; Antipruritic; Antiscrophulatic; Cholagogue; Cytotoxic; Depurative; Diaphoretic; Diuretic; Expectorant; Purgative; Skin; Sternutatory; Tonic.
Soapwort's main medicinal use is as an expectorant. Its strongly
irritant action within the gut is thought to stimulate the cough reflex and
increase the production of a more fluid mucus within the respiratory
passages[254].
The whole plant, but especially the root, is alterative, antiscrophulatic,
cholagogue, depurative, diaphoretic, mildly diuretic, expectorant, purgative,
sternutatory and tonic[4, 7, 9, 13, 21, 218]. A decoction of the whole plant
can be applied externally to treat itchy skin[4, 201, 238]. The plant has
proved of use in the treatment of jaundice and other visceral
obstructions[4], but is rarely used internally in modern herbalism due to its
irritant effect on the digestive system[238]. When taken in excess, it
destroys red blood cells and causes paralysis of the vasomotor centre[238].
See also the notes above on toxicity[4, 7]. The root is harvested in the
spring and can be dried for later use[7].
One of the saponins in this plant is proving of interest in the treatment of
cancer, it is cytotoxic to the Walker Carcinoma in vitro[218]. We have a more details factsheet on the history and medicinal use of this plant. Email webmaster@pfaf.org for details.
Other Uses
Ground cover; Soap.
A soap can be obtained by boiling the whole plant (but especially the
root) in water[6, 13]. It is a gentle effective cleaner[7, 95], used
especially on delicate fabrics that can be harmed by modern synthetic soaps
(it has been used to clean the Bayeaux tapestry). It effects a lustre in the
fabric[171]. The best soap is obtained by infusing the plant in warm
water[169]. The roots can be dried and stored for later use[169]. The plant
is sometimes recommended as a hair shampoo, though it can cause eye
irritations[238].
The plant spreads vigorously and can be used as a ground cover when planted
about 1 metre apart each way[208].
Cultivation details
Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained soil in sun or
semi-shade[200]. Prefers a neutral to alkaline soil[238].
Hardy to about -20°c[187].
A very ornamental plant[1], soapwort is often grown in the herb garden and
is sometimes cultivated for the soap that can be obtained from the roots.
There are some named forms, usually with double flowers, that have been
selected for their ornamental value[187]. Plants can be very invasive when
grown in good conditions[K]. Soapwort should not be grown next to a pond with
amphibians or fish in it since if the plant trails into the water it can
cause poisoning[238].
The flowers are slightly scented with a sweet aroma that has an undertone of
clove[245].
Hybridizes with other members of this genus[200].
A good moth plant[13, 24].
Propagation
Seed - best if given a short cold stratification. Sow autumn or late
winter in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates within 4 weeks. Prick out
the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and
plant them out in early summer.
Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, it can be successfully done at any
time in the growing season if the plants are kept moist until they are
re-established. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their
permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions
and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them
out once they are well established in the summer.
Scent
-
Flowers: Fresh
- The flowers are slightly scented with a sweet aroma that has an undertone of clove[245].
Cultivars
- ''
- No entries have been made for this species as yet.
Suppliers
Plants For A Future is working with the following groups to try and make these plants easily available. Parts of the proceeds will be donated to so please mention us when ordering.
- Wildwood Nurseries
-
Lower Manor Cottage
Thornbury
Holsworthy
Devon
EX22 7DD
Email: lorna@macace.co.uk
Phone 01409 261324
Fax 01409 261324
Distribution: UK
How to order: Direct from Wildwood by email/phone
Last Updated: March 03
Item:
Saponaria officinalis
(soapwort)
For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.
PFAF Web Pages
This plant is mentioned in the following web pages
Web References
- Details of Medicinal Uses, Habitats, etc. in M. Grieve A Modern Herbal (1931) [4]
- [H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
- [L] Scientific and Common Names (some photos)
from Lepidoptera and some other life forms
- [E] Ethnobotany Data
(common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.
- [V] Images
from the Vascular Plant Image Gallery of the Texas A&M Bioinformatics Working Group.
- [B] Data
(Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
- [S] Image
from the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine
- [G] Data
(Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
- [C] Taxon data.
from the CalFlora database.
- Images
from the CalPhoto database.
- [P] Data.
(uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
- [HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database
References for saponaria officinalis (a possible synonym).
References for the family Caryophyllaceae.
See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.
Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.
[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
[6] Mabey. R. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana 1979 ISBN 0-00-635555-2
Details on some of the useful wild plants of Britain. Poor on pictures but otherwise very good.
[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
[9] Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981 ISBN 0-600-37216-2
Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.
[13] Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975 ISBN 0-600-33545-3
Very interesting reading, giving some details of plant uses and quite a lot of folk-lore.
[17] Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962
A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
[21] Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983 ISBN 0-553-23827-2
Lots of information tightly crammed into a fairly small book.
[24] Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.
Fairly good with lots of ideas about creating wildlife areas in the garden.
[95] Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications 1976 ISBN 0-486-23310-3
Useful wild plants of America. A pocket guide.
[169] Buchanan. R. A Weavers Garden.
Covers all aspects of growing your own clothes, from fibre plants to dyes.
[171] Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952
Not very comprehensive, but it is quite readable and goes into some a bit of detail about the plants it does cover.
[187] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.
[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2
A well produced and very readable book.
[208] Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990 ISBN 0-460-12609-1
An excellent detailled book on the subject, very comprehensive.
[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
[238] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
[245] Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.
[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
Readers Comments
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Plant information taken from the
Plants For A Future -
Species Database.
Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
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Website: www.pfaf.org Phone: 0845 458 4719/_44(0) 1208 872963 This page (UK) http://www.comp.leeds.ac.uk/cgi-bin/pfaf/arr_html?Saponaria+officinalis
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