Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 10, 2026

Sapindus marginatus

Sapindus marginatus, the Florida soapberry, is a tree native to Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. It grows to about 9.1 m (30 ft) tall. It has pale gray or brown, ridged bark. The leaves are up to 30 cm (1 ft) foot long with 6 to 13 leaflets. The leaflets are 5 to 15 cm long and 2 to 7 cm wide, and have pointed tips with no teeth on the edges. The leaflets may be opposite or alternate. The leaves fall in the early spring.

Last revised
Jul 10, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
210 w
Citations
4
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Sapindus marginatus
Stand of Sapindus marginatus trees
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Sapindaceae
Genus: Sapindus
Species:
S. marginatus
Binomial name
Sapindus marginatus
Synonyms1
  • Sapindus acuminatus Raf.
  • Sapindus falcatus Raf.
  • Sapindus manatensis Shuttlew. ex Radlk.

Sapindus marginatus, the Florida soapberry, is a tree native to Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. It grows to about 9.1 m (30 ft) tall. It has pale gray or brown, ridged bark. The leaves are up to 30 cm (1 ft) foot long with 6 to 13 leaflets. The leaflets are 5 to 15 cm (2 to 6 in) long and 2 to 7 cm (.75 to 2.75 in) wide, and have pointed tips with no teeth on the edges. The leaflets may be opposite or alternate. The leaves fall in the early spring.2

Florida soapberry is similar to tropical soapberry (Sapindus saponaria). Some botanists consider Florida soapberry to be the same species as tropical soapberry.2

References

References

  1. "Sapindus marginatus Willd". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
  2. Linda G. Chafin (2010). "Sapindus marginatus" (PDF). Wildlife Resources Division. Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2026.