Scientific Name
Sapindus drummondii
Western soapberry is a small tree just barely native to Colorado, occurring at its southeastern extremity in Baca County, but its primary range extends from Missouri west to Arizona. While this might suggest some sensitivity to cold winters, several of these trees have been growing in Denver for many years. As for tolerance of our summer climate, the species’ native range demonstrates its ability to thrive in very hot, dry climates. The largest soapberry tree in Denver is 39 feet tall with a trunk 13 inches in diameter and is tied for third place on the list of state champions; the others are located in southeastern Colorado.
Western soapberry trees have interesting ornamental attributes year-round. They have attractive, feathery compound leaves and produce profuse white flower clusters in midsummer that attract hordes of pollinators, both native and non-native. The flowers give way to round fruit about ½ inch in diameter, initially a very light green that gradually deepens to medium green and finally turns orange by fall. At that time, the foliage also turns yellow before falling.
When the tree is bare, the fruit gradually becomes transparent and remains on the branches, where it can be illuminated by winter sunlight. The fruit contains a very hard, dark seed, and sometimes two years’ worth of fruit can persist on the tree.
Soapberry fruits contain a substance called saponin, which produces a lather when agitated in water. It can be used for laundering clothes and has been used in this way when detergents are unavailable.