Scientific Name
Sapindus drummondii
Common Name
Soapberry

CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.

Characteristics

Family
Sapindaceae
Plant Description
Deciduous tree; leaves opposite and pinnately divided with 8-18 leaflets; flowers small, 4-5 parted, yellow-white; fruit a fleshy drupe, yellow becoming black.
Origin
Southwestern USA.
Where Found
Landscape as ornamental street and landscape tree.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
Fruit.
Symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
Toxic Principle
Saponic glycoside.
Severity
CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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