Sapindus mukorossi
| Sapindus mukorossi | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Sapindaceae |
| Genus: | Sapindus |
| Species: | S. mukorossi |
| Binomial name | |
| Sapindus mukorossi | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Sapindus oocarpus Radlk. | |
Sapindus mukorossi, commonly known as Indian soapberry, washnut, ritha[2][3][4][5] or Chinese soapberry,[1] is a species of tree in the family Sapindaceae. It is a deciduous tree that grows in the lower foothills and midhills of the Himalayas at altitudes of up to 1,200 metres (4,000 ft).[6] It is also native to western coastal Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa in India; as well as Nepal Indochina, southern China,[7] Japan and Taiwan as known by its many indigenous peoples.[8] It is tolerant to reasonably poor soil, can be planted around farmers' homes,[9] and one tree can produce 30 to 35 kilograms (66 to 77 lb) of fruit per year.[10]
It is known by several regional names across India, including ritha, ringin, and pitha in Marathi; ritha in Hindi; aritha in Gujarati; antavala and kugatemar in Kannada; and arishta and phenila in Sanskrit.[11]
Taxonomy
[edit]The species belongs to the genus Sapindus within the family Sapindaceae. Worldwide, the genus comprises 15 species, 7 of which are found in India.[11]
Description
[edit]Tree and foliage
[edit]Sapindus trifoliatus attains a height of approximately 18 m (59 ft) and a trunk circumference of about 1.5 m (4.9 ft). The tree's bark is grey, shiny, and rough, featuring peeling scales.[11]
The compound leaves are arranged alternately, are even-pinnate, and range from 12–30 cm (4.7–11.8 in) in length. Each leaflet is lanceolate to oblong in shape with a pointed tip.[11]
Flowers and fruit
[edit]The tree produces small, white flowers that are either unisexual or bisexual. Flowering occurs on a regular schedule from October to December.[11]
The fruit contains seeds and is hairy when immature, measuring 1.3–2.0 cm (0.51–0.79 in) in diameter. The fruits grow in fused clusters of two or three. Upon ripening, the fruit softens, and its inner pulp merges with the outer skin, causing the exterior to become hard and wrinkled. Inside each fruit are 2 to 3 hard, black seeds that are similar in size to a chickpea.[11]
Distribution and cultivation
[edit]Native to South India, the tree naturally grows in sparse forest regions along coastlines and lower mountain slopes. It is cultivated in rural areas of West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.[11]
Propagation is carried out using seeds or saplings. The tree is also planted in home gardens for ornamental purposes.[11]
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Uses
[edit]Cleaning
[edit]The plant contains saponin, allowing it to function as a natural soap substitute. It is used for washing delicate fabrics such as silk and wool, as well as for cleansing hair, gold, pearls, and diamonds.[11]
Timber
[edit]The timber derived from Sapindus trifoliatus is heavy and hard. It is utilized in the manufacturing of carts and other wooden items.[11]
Cleanser
[edit]The soapnut contains saponin, which has soap-like properties.[3]
Surfactant
[edit]The fruit can be used in an enhanced oil recovery technique,[12] yielding a surfactant for washing arsenic from soils containing iron.[13]
References
[edit]- 1 2 Plummer, J. (2021). "Sapindus mukorossi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021 e.T169299323A169300329. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T169299323A169300329.en. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
- ↑ NRCS. "Sapindus mukorossi". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 5 November 2015.
- 1 2 Upadhyay, A. & Singh, D. K. (2012). "Pharmacological effects of Sapindus mukorossi". Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo. 54 (5): 273–280. doi:10.1590/s0036-46652012000500007. PMID 22983291.
- ↑ Orwa C. A., Mutua, K. R., & Jamnadasss R. S. A. (2009) Agroforestree Database: a tree reference and selection guide (version 4.0). Retrieved from http://www.worldagroforestry.org/treedb/AFTPDFS/Sapindus_mukorossi.pdf
- ↑ "Sapindus mukorossi". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
- ↑ Sarin, J. L.; Beri, M. L. (1939). "Extraction of saponin from soapnut". Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. 31 (6): 712–713. doi:10.1021/ie50354a012.
- ↑ Sun, C.; Wang, J.; Duan, J.; Zhao, G.; Weng, X.; Jia, L. Association of Fruit and Seed Traits of Sapindus mukorossi Germplasm with Environmental Factors in Southern China. Forests 2017, 8, 491. https://doi.org/10.3390/f8120491
- ↑ Blust, Robert; Trussel, Stephen (2010). "*daqu₂: soapberry - Sapindus mukrossi, S. saponaria". Austronesian Comparative Dictionary. Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
- ↑ Forestry Nepal (2014). Sapindus mukorossi. Retrieved from http://www.forestrynepal.org/resources/trees/sapindus-mukorossi Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ Poudel, K. L. (2011). Trade potentiality and ecological analysis of NTFPs in Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal. Himalayan Research Papers Archives, 61 . Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/1928/3300
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Halarnkar, Tanaji, ed. (2000). [Konkani Encyclopaedia] (in Goan Konkani). Vol. 4. Goa: Goa University. pp. 303–304 – via Wikisource.
- ↑ Chhetri, A. B.; Watts, K. C.; Rahman, M. S.; Islam, M. R. (2009). "Soapnut extract as a natural surfactant for enhanced oil recovery". Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects. 31 (20): 1893–1903. doi:10.1080/15567030802462622. S2CID 95498375.
- ↑ Mukhopadhyay, S.; Hashim, M. A.; Sahu, J. N.; Yusoff, I; Gupta, B. S. (2013). "Comparison of a plant based natural surfactant with SDS for washing of As(V) from Fe rich soil" (PDF). Journal of Environmental Sciences. 25 (11): 2247–2256. doi:10.1016/s1001-0742(12)60295-2. PMID 24552053.
External links
[edit]
Media related to Sapindus mukorossi at Wikimedia Commons
