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{{SPlantbox
| name = ''LATINNAME'' <!--- replace LATINNAME with the actual latin name -->
|familia=Caryophyllaceae
| common_names = <!--- if multiple, list all, if none, leave blank -->
|genus=Saponaria
| growth_habit = ? <!--- tree, shrub, herbaceous, vine, etc -->
|species=officinalis
| high = ? <!--- 1m (3 ft) -->
|taxo_author=L.
| wide = <!--- 65cm (25 inches) -->
|common_name=Bouncing bet, Soapwort
| origin = ? <!--- Mexico, S America, S Europe, garden, etc -->
|name_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
| poisonous = <!--- indicate parts of plants which are known/thought to be poisonous -->
|habit=herbaceous
| lifespan = <!--- perennial, annual, etc -->
|Min ht box=12
| exposure = ? <!--- full sun, part-sun, semi-shade, shade, indoors, bright filtered (you may list more than 1) -->
|Min ht metric=in
| water = ? <!--- frequent, regular, moderate, drought tolerant, let dry then soak -->
|Max ht box=24
| features = <!--- flowers, fragrance, fruit, naturalizes, invasive -->
|Max ht metric=in
| hardiness = <!--- frost sensitive, hardy, 5°C (40°F), etc -->
|height_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
| bloom = <!--- seasons which the plant blooms, if it is grown for its flowers -->
|Min wd box=20
| usda_zones = ? <!--- eg. 8-11 -->
|Min wd metric=in
| sunset_zones = <!--- eg. 8, 9, 12-24, not available -->
|Max wd box=40
| color = IndianRed
|Max wd metric=in
| image = Upload.png <!--- Freesia.jpg -->
|width_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
| image_width = 240px <!--- leave as 240px if horizontal orientation photo, or change to 180px if vertical -->
|poisonous=can be toxic
| image_caption = <!--- eg. Cultivated freesias -->
|poison_ref=Wikipedia
| regnum = Plantae <!--- Kingdom -->
|lifespan=perennial
| divisio = <!--- Phylum -->
|life_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
| classis = <!--- Class -->
|exposure=sun
| ordo = <!--- Order -->
|sun_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
| familia = <!--- Family -->
|features=flowers
| genus =
|Temp Metric=°F
| species =
|min_zone=4
| subspecies =
|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia
| cultivar =
|max_zone=10
|image=Saponaria officinalis.JPG
|image_width=240
}}
}}
'''Common Soapwort''' (''Saponaria officinalis'') is a [[Vespertine (biology)|vespertine flower]], and a common [[perennial plant]] from the carnation family ([[Caryophyllaceae]]). Other common names are Bouncing Bet and Sweet William; locally it is simply "the Soapwort" although there are about 20 species of [[soapwort]]s altogether.
The scientific name ''Saponaria'' is derived from the Latin ''sapo'' (stem ''sapon-'') meaning "soap," which, like its common name, refers to its utility in [[cleaning]]. From this same Latin word is derived the name of the toxic substance [[saponin]], contained in the roots even 20 percent when the plant is flowering<ref>book: Farmakognosia, by Raimo Hiltunen (in finnish)</ref> (Indian soapnuts contain only 15 percent!). It starts producing a lather when in contact with water. The epithet ''officinalis'' indicates its medicinal functions.
Soapwort's native range extends throughout [[Europe]] to western [[Siberia]]. It grows in cool places at low or moderate elevations under hedgerows and along the shoulders of roadways.
The plants possesses leafy, unbranched [[Plant stem|stems]] (often tinged with red) grow in patches, attaining a height of 70 cm. The broad, lanceolate, sessile [[leaf|leaves]] are opposite and between 4 and 12 cm long. It's sweetly scented [[flower]]s are radially symmetrical and pink, or sometimes white. Each of the five flat [[petal]]s have two small scales in the throat of the [[Corolla (flower)|corolla]]. They are about 2.5 cm wide. They are arranged in dense, terminal clusters on the main stem and its branches. The long tubular [[sepal | calyx]] has five pointed red teeth.
In the [[northern hemisphere]] soapwort blooms from May to September, and in the [[southern hemisphere]] October to March.
{{Inc|
{{Inc|
Saponaria officinalis, Linn. Bouncing Bet. Perennial: sts. 1 1/2-2 1/2 ft. high, leafy, simple, clustered, glabrous: lvs. mostly oblong-lanceolate, 3-nerved: fls. light pink (nearly white in shady situations), in compact, corymbose, paniculate cymes; calyx glabrous, the teeth triangularly acuminate; petal-lobes obovate, entire, notched at apex. July, Aug. Eu. Var. albo-plena, Hort., is a double white-fld, form growing 2 ft. high. June- Sept. Var. caucasica, Hort. (S. caucasica, Hort.), is a double-fld. form, the fls. described as white tinted rose by some, as deeper colored than the type by others, grows 15 in. high. All summer and fall. Var. caucasica flore-pleno, Hort. (S. caucasica flore- pleno, Hort.), is said to have double reddish purple fls. July-Sept. Var. flore-pleno, Hort., is quite double-fld., the fls. paler than the type. Var. plena, Hort., grows 1-3 ft. high and lilac, rose, or white fls. Julv-Oct. Probably includes some of the other double varieties. Var. roseo-plena, Hort., grows 2 1/2-3 ft. high and rose-colored fls. July-Sept.
Saponaria officinalis, Linn. Bouncing Bet. Fig. 3546. Perennial: sts. 1 1/2-2 1/2 ft. high, leafy, simple, clustered, glabrous: lvs. mostly oblong-lanceolate, 3-nerved: fls. light pink (nearly white in shady situations), in compact, corymbose, paniculate cymes; calyx glabrous, the teeth triangularly acuminate; petal-lobes obovate, entire, notched at apex. July, Aug. Eu. Var. albo-plena, Hort., is a double white-fld, form growing 2 ft. high. June- Sept. Var. caucasica, Hort. (S. caucasica, Hort.), is a double-fld. form, the fls. described as white tinted rose by some, as deeper colored than the type by others, grows 15 in. high. All summer and fall. Var. caucasica flore-pleno, Hort. (S. caucasica flore- pleno, Hort.), is said to have double reddish purple fls. July-Sept. Var. flore-pleno, Hort., is quite double-fld., the fls. paler than the type. Var. plena, Hort., grows 1-3 ft. high and lilac, rose, or white fls. Julv-Oct. Probably includes some of the other double varieties. Var. roseo-plena, Hort., grows 2 1/2-3 ft. high and rose-colored fls. July-Sept.
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==Cultivation==
==Cultivation==
Succeeds in any moderately fertile well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade[200]. Prefers a neutral to alkaline soil[238]. Hardy to about -20°c[187]. A very ornamental plant[1], soapwort is often grown in the herb garden and is sometimes cultivated for the soap that can be obtained from the roots. There are some named forms, usually with double flowers, that have been selected for their ornamental value[187]. Plants can be very invasive when grown in good conditions[K]. Soapwort should not be grown next to a pond with amphibians or fish in it since if the plant trails into the water it can cause poisoning[238]. The flowers are slightly scented with a sweet aroma that has an undertone of clove[245]. Hybridizes with other members of this genus[200]. A good moth plant[13, 24].
===Propagation===
===Propagation===
Seed - best if given a short cold stratification. Sow autumn or late winter in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates within 4 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, it can be successfully done at any time in the growing season if the plants are kept moist until they are re-established. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.
===Pests and diseases===
===Pests and diseases===
==Species==
==Varieties==
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
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File:Saponaria officinalis 03.jpg
Image:Upload.png| photo 2
Image:Upload.png| photo 2
Image:Upload.png| photo 3
Image:Upload.png| photo 3
==References==
==References==
<references/>
*[http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Saponaria+officinalis Plants for a Future] - Source of some Creative Commons text
*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
*[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963
<!--- xxxxx *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381 -->
<!--- xxxxx *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381 -->
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