Saponaria officinalis
Caryophyllaceae
Bouncing Bet (Bett)
July to September
It is found throughout the country, but is less common in
parts of the North and the Southwest.
See the BSBI distribution map for Soapwort
It is an archaeophyte which is grown in gardens, but
readily becomes naturalised mainly from throw outs.
In the wild it grows in hedge banks, damp woods,
waste ground, and beside roads, railways and
streams.
The double flowered- form, Bouncing Bet, is often
found and there are several reports of it around
Chesil beach in Dorset.
Soapwort is a spreading, rhizomatous, perennial
herb, growing up to 90cm.
The flowers are in terminal clusters and up to 2.5cm.
There are 5 petals which are white, to flesh-coloured
to pale pink.
There are 10 protandrous stamens. The anthers
start off lilac and darken.
There are 2 styles with linear stigmas.
The calyx forms an elongated sepal tube which
has 5 triangular teeth and is green or reddish.
Fruits are elongated capsules.
Leaves are up to 10cm long and broadly ovate.
The stems are brittle and ascend from creeping
rhizomes.
The rhizomes make Soapwort quite invasive.
In the past the leaves and stems were used to
make mild soap and shampoo. It was also used
to wash delicate fabrics and woollens
Previous page: Sneezewort
Next page: Spear-leaved Orache
Soapwort - South Somerset
Flowerhead
5 petals, 10 stamens, 2 styles with linear stigmas
Calyx tube with 5 teeth, linear stigmas
Fruits - elongated capsules
Leaves
Bouncing Bet on Chesil to Portland causeway
Bouncing Bet on wasteland, Abbotsbury, Dorset
Double flowered - flore pleno
Flore pleno- young stamens
Flore pleno linear stigmas
Bouncing Bet leaves
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