Quillaja saponaria

species of plant

Soap bark tree (Quillaja saponaria) is a tree of the family Quillajaceae.[1] In commerce, it is known as Panama wood. The tree grows naturally from warm temperate central Chile north to Bolivia and Peru. It can grow to 15 m (49 ft) to 20 m (66 ft) high. The Soap bark tree gets its name because the inner bark can be made into a powder which can be used as soap. Its compounds are also used as foam in beer and other drinks. The tree also has medicinal uses.[2]

Soap bark tree
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Quillajaceae
Genus: Quillaja
Species:
Q. saponaria
Binomial name
Quillaja saponaria

Morphology

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Quillay is an evergreen tree, with grey bark. Alternate leaves, glaber, acute apex and obtuse base, bright green, near entire margins with 4-8 teeth. Flowers light green or white, hermaphrodite, pentamer, radiate. Five petals, 5 sepals, 10 stamens and 5 pistils. Fruit: a star-shape capsule, with winged seeds.

 
star shape capsule

References

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  1. Cite error: The named reference V Tech was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  2. "Database Entry for Quillaja - Quillaja saponaria Quillaja - Quillaja saponaria Quillaja - Quillaja saponaria Quillaja - Quillaja saponaria". Archived from the original on 2007-12-11. Retrieved 2007-12-18.