Common soapwort is native to Europe, but naturalized in North America, where it is now
widespread. "Soapwort," meaning "soapy plant," derives from the saponins it contains—the
roots produce lather when mixed with water.
Identification: Plants are up to 2′ (70 cm) high. Stems
may be tinged with red.
Leaves
are long and narrow, 1½-4½″ (4-12 cm) long, and attached directly to the stem. Flowers are in large clusters,
varying from white to pink. Each flower has five large, rounded petals, sometimes curled
back, and is 1″ (2.5 cm) in diameter. They flower
from June to October. Each flower contains a capsule of seeds that resembles a small sack.
Edibility: Poisonous The saponins in this plant make
it moderately poisonous.
7/8/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm)
That’s an eastern black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes asterius). · 7/23/2017 · Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Pennsylvania · ≈ 15 × 10″ (39 × 26 cm)
This is a double-flowered variety. · 8/6/2013 · Dunstable Rural Land Trust, Dunstable, Massachusetts ID is uncertain