Genus Saponaria L. L , Sp. PI. ed. I (1753) 408; Gen. PI. ed. 5 (1754) 191 n° 499. Fam: Caryophyllaceae Juss.
Genus: Saponaria L.
English Name: Soapworts
Description:
Annual or perennial herbaceous plants with opposing elongated elliptical sharp leaves. Corolla white, with purple or pink hue, or red. Hermaphrodite blossoms located in dihaziums, rarely single. Calyx composed of five fused petals, cylindrical or pipe-bubble, grassy or less membranous, with 15 - 25 veins on top with 5 tabs. Petals greater than sepals, 5 non-adhering, at the base narrowed into a long claw; their enlarged upper middle usually incised. 10. stamens. The carpophore with 2, 3 or 4 bars. Ovary single station. Fruit box, with short stalk at the base, opening the top 4, rarely with 6 lugs. Seeds flat, kidney, with small warts. Table for determining the types
1 The blossoms yellowish white rarely assembled in the head of the tip of the stem. Basal leaves collected in the rosette. ……………………….. .............................................................................................................................................................. 4. X X X soapwort - S. bellidifolia Sm.
1* The blossoms red, pink or white, gathered in besom-like clusters, seated or on short handles. Basal leaves not in rosette ................................ 2
2 Plants covered at the top with dense glandular hairs. Petals red or dark pink, the top splitted .......................................................................... 3
2* Naked or low fiber plant. Petals white or pale pink, the top more or less goals ……................................ 1 . Healing soapwort - S. officinalis L.
3 Annual or biannual plant. Calyx narrowly cylindrical, dark red. Petals red ............................................... 3. Sticky soapwort - S glutinosa MV
3* Semi bush. Calyx broadly cylindrical pale pink, narrowed at both ends. Petals dark pink ......... …….... 2. Strandja sapunche.- S. stranjensis D. Jord.¹ developed by St. Valev. From „Флора на НР България”, том III, БАН, София, (1967)
Saponaria is a genus of flowering plants in the pink family, Caryophyllaceae. They are native to Europe and Asia, and are commonly known as soapworts.[1]
They are herbaceous perennials and annuals, some with woody bases. The flowers are abundant, five-petalled and usually in shades of pink[2] or white.[1]
The most familiar species might be common soapwort (S. officinalis), which is native to Eurasia but is known in much of the world as an introduced species, often a weed, and sometimes a cultivated ornamental plant.[1] The genus name Saponaria derives from the Latin saponis ("soap") and -aria ("pertaining to sap"),[1] and at least one species, S. officinalis, has been used to make soap.[3] It contains saponins, and a liquid soap could be produced by soaking the leaves in water.[1]
The genus is closely related to Lychnis and Silene, being distinguished from these by having only two (not three or five) styles in the flower.[2] It is also related to Gypsophila, but its calyx is cylindrical rather than bell-shaped.[4]
Saponaria species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the Lychnis, and Coleophora saponariella, which is exclusive to the genus.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
References: „Флора на НР България”, том III, БАН, София, (1967), Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Distribution in Bulgaria: (Conspectus of the Bulgarian Vascular Flora) = conspectus&gs_l= Zlc.
SPECIES:
Saponaria officinalis L. - Common soapwort, Bouncing-bet, ...
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