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Saponaria

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Saponaria
Saponaria ocymoides
Scientific classificationEdit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Genus: Saponaria
L.(1753)
Species

30-40, see text

Synonyms[1]
  • BootiaNeck. (1768), nom. illeg.
  • PleioneuraRech.f. (1951)
  • Proteinia(Ser.) Rchb. (1841)
  • SmegmathamniumFenzl ex Rchb. (1844)
  • SpaniziumGriseb. (1843)

Saponariais agenusofflowering plantsin thefamilyCaryophyllaceae,nativeto Asia and Europe, and are commonly known assoapworts.[2]They areherbaceousperennialsandannuals,some with woody bases. The flowers are abundant, five-petalled and usually in shades of pink[3]or white.[2]The genus is closely related to the genusSilene,being distinguished from these by having only two (not three or five)stylesin the flower.[3]It is also related toGypsophila,but itscalyxis cylindrical rather than bell-shaped.[4]

The most familiar species might becommon soapwort(S. officinalis), which is native to Eurasia but is known in much of the world as anintroduced species,often aweed,and sometimes a cultivatedornamental plant.[2]The genus nameSaponariaderives from the Latinsapo( "soap" ) and -aria( "pertaining to" ),[2]and at least one species,S. officinalis,has been used to makesoap.[5]It containssaponins,and a liquid soap can be produced by soaking the leaves in water.[2]This soap is still used to clean delicate antique tapestries.[6]It is also sometimes stated that it is used as anemulsifierinTurkish delightconfections, but this is a case of double confusion. The roots of plants in genusGypsophilaare used to make the Turkish confectionhelvaandSaponariaspecies are not used.[7]

Saponariaspecies are eaten by thelarvaeof somebutterflies and moths,including theLychnisandColeophora saponariella,which is exclusive to the genus.

Diversity

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There are thirty[4][8]to forty[2][9][10]species in the genus.

Plants of the World Onlineaccepts 39 species:[1]

References

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  1. ^ab"SaponariaL. "Plants of the World Online.Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.Retrieved9 March2024.
  2. ^abcdefThieret, John W.; Rabeler, Richard K. (2005)."Saponaria".In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (ed.).Flora of North America North of Mexico (FNA).Vol. 5. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press – via eFloras.org,Missouri Botanical Garden,St. Louis, MO &Harvard University Herbaria,Cambridge, MA.
  3. ^abRHS A–Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants.United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008.ISBN978-1405332965.
  4. ^abGhazanfar, Shahina A.; Nasir, Yasin J."Saponaria".Flora of Pakistan– via eFloras.org,Missouri Botanical Garden,St. Louis, MO &Harvard University Herbaria,Cambridge, MA.
  5. ^Coombes, A. J. (2012).The A to Z of Plant Names.USA: Timber Press. p.265.ISBN9781604691962.
  6. ^Elliot, Doug (July 1995).Wild Roots: Forager's Guide to the Edible and Medicinal Roots, Tubers, Corms and Rhizomes of North America.Inner Traditions / Bear & Co.ISBN978-0892815388.
  7. ^Işın, Priscilla Mary (2013).Sherbet & Spice: the complete story of Turkish sweets and desserts(1st ed.). New York: I.B. Tauris. pp. 128, 270.ISBN978-1-84885-898-5.Retrieved9 March2024.
  8. ^Lu, Dequan; Lidén, Magnus; Oxelman, Bengt."Saponaria".Flora of China.Vol. 6 – via eFloras.org,Missouri Botanical Garden,St. Louis, MO &Harvard University Herbaria,Cambridge, MA.
  9. ^Jürgens, Andreas; Witt, Taina; Gottsberger, Gerhard (2003)."Flower scent composition inDianthusandSaponariaspecies (Caryophyllaceae) and its relevance for pollination biology and taxonomy "(PDF).Biochemical Systematics and Ecology.31(4): 345–57.Bibcode:2003BioSE..31..345J.doi:10.1016/S0305-1978(02)00173-4.
  10. ^Hartman, Ronald L.; Rabeler, Richard K. (2012)."Saponaria".In Jepson Flora Project (ed.).Jepson eFlora.The Jepson Herbarium,University of California, Berkeley.
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