Saponaria officinalis L.

Common soapwort, bouncing bet, soapwort

About plant names...

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 28" (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.

Online References:

Missouriplants.com

Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

Illinois Wildflowers

EFloras

Wikipedia

8/18/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 6 × 4" (15 × 10 cm)

8/6/2013 · Dunstable Rural Land Trust, Dunstable, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 7 × 10" (16 × 25 cm) ID is uncertain

7/12/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 9 × 6" (22 × 14 cm)

7/11/2008 · By Jacquelyn Boyt

8/26/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 8 × 6" (19 × 15 cm)

7/28/2009 · Near Nashua River Boat Ramp, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 4½ × 5" (11 × 13 cm) ID is uncertain

7/12/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 9 × 8" (23 × 20 cm)

8/3/2009 · 111 Near 119, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 15 × 16" (38 × 40 cm) ID is uncertain

Saponaria officinalis description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.

© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.

7/28/2009 · Near Nashua River Boat Ramp, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 10 × 16" (26 × 41 cm) ID is uncertain

7/8/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 6 × 5" (16 × 13 cm)

This is a double-flowered variety. · 8/6/2013 · Dunstable Rural Land Trust, Dunstable, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 6 × 5" (14 × 13 cm) ID is uncertain

7/12/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 11 × 7" (27 × 18 cm)

7/8/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 8 × 7" (21 × 16 cm)

7/12/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 5 × 4½" (13 × 11 cm)

7/8/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 7 × 6" (17 × 14 cm)

That’s an eastern black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes asterius). · 7/23/2017 · Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Penn­syl­vania
≈ 8 × 9" (21 × 22 cm)

This is a double-flowered variety. · 8/6/2013 · Dunstable Rural Land Trust, Dunstable, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 6 × 6" (15 × 15 cm) ID is uncertain

7/12/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 5 × 4½" (12 × 11 cm)

7/8/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts
≈ 11 × 7" (27 × 18 cm)

Range:

About this map...