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Soap nut
Common name
Indian soap berry, washnut
Botanical name
Sapindus mukorossi
Family
Sapindaceae
Details
Grows in the lower foothills and midhills of the Himalayans to altitudes of 1200 meters. The soapnut contains the compound saponin, which has natural cleansing properties, and can be used as a cleanser for hair, skin, and clothing. Saponins are also useful as insecticides, such as for removing head lice
Forest layer
canopy
Height (m)
20
Frost sensitive
Seeds / nuts / tubers
Shade / Sun
Full sun
Soil type
most well-drained soil, nutritionally poor