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soapbush
Scientific Name: Clidemia hirta var. hirta
Family: Melastomataceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Soapbush: A Botanical Overview
The term "soapbush" can refer to several different plant species, each with unique characteristics and origins. This overview explores some of the key plants known by this common name.
Considerations for Pets
- One plant in the family Melastomataceae, potentially Clidemia hirta, contains toxic tannins.
Considerations for Children
- Several plants called "soapbush" produce a soapy lather when their leaves or seed pods are crushed and rubbed with water. This could be interesting for children, but supervision is advisable.
Clidemia hirta (L.) D. Don: Koster's Curse
- Common Names: Soapbush, Soap Bush, Koster's Curse, Hairy Clidemia, Vankadali, harendong.
- Taxonomy and Nomenclature:
- Scientific Name: Clidemia hirta (L.) D. Don
- Family: Melastomataceae
- Group: Dicot
- USDA PLANTS Symbol: CLHI3
- Distribution and Habitat: Native to the American Neotropics. It has also been found in Australia, Southern Asia, and East Africa. It is an aggressive invader of moist forests, particularly in many Pacific Islands. It was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands around 1940.
- Ecological Role: Clidemia hirta is considered an invasive plant species in many tropical regions, posing a threat to native ecosystems.
- Morphological Characteristics: Perennial shrub. It can grow to around 8 meters tall.
- Interactions with other organisms: The Lius possiedon larva has been observed feeding on Clidemia hirta in Maui.
- Additional Notes: There is a preliminary report on a biotype of Clidemia hirta showing potential resistance to metsulfuron-methyl in an oil palm plantation.
Guaiacum angustifolium
- Common Names: Guayacan, Soapbush
- Taxonomy and Nomenclature:
- Scientific Name: Guaiacum angustifolium
- Family: Zygophyllaceae (Caltrop Family)
- Morphological Characteristics: An unusual evergreen shrub. Leaves are opposite or crowded on spur shoots, pinnately compound, evergreen, 1 1/2 to 3 inches long, with 6 to.
Noltea africana
- Common Names: Soap Bush
- Distribution and Habitat: Native to South Africa
Other Plants Called "Soapbush"
- Ceanothus integerrimus: A deer brush of the western U.S. in the buckhorn family. Important browse and honey plant.
- Acacia holosericea: Soapbush wattle, native to Australia.
- Rhigozum trichotomum: Khalahari soapbush, native to Southern Africa. It is a deciduous, rigid, woody shrub native to the arid western regions of southern Africa in Botswana.
- Colubrina arborescens: Referred to as "soap bush" with mauble bark and snake wood.
Potential Uses
- Some species are used medicinally.
- Leaves of some "soapbush" varieties produce suds when crushed with water, historically used for washing hands and feet.
Additional Resources
- Dave's Garden (for gardening tips and ideas)
- Wikimedia Commons (for images of Noltea africana)
- Discover Life (for information on Clidemia hirta)
- USDA PLANTS Database (for information on Clidemia hirta)
- Invasive Plant Atlas