Sapindaceae

Soapberry Family

By: George Rogers

A large woody family of some 125 genera and 1000 species from warm climates. Leaves usually pinnately compound, the leaflets often serrate. Flowers in large paniculate inflorescences. Flowers radially symmetrical with a ringlike nectary between the petals and stamens. Stamens usually twice as many as petals. Pistils and fruits diverse, sometimes with 3 carpels. In addition to the species treated in the present manual, the Sapindaceae include fruits and some infrequently grown ornamentals: Lychee (included below), Longan (included below), Akee (Blighia sapida Koenig), Black-Pearl (Harpullia arborea Radlk.), and Spanish-Lime or Genip (included below). 

Key to Important Sapindaceae Cultivated in South Florida

1. Native shrub with simple, glossy leaves…Varnishleaf (Dodonea viscosa)

1. Plants exotic trees; leaves compound…2 (note three choices)

2A. Tree with leaves often (not always) bipinnate, the rachis not winged; flowers bright showy yellow; pods coppery…Goldenraintree (Koelreuteria elegans)

2B. Trees or shrubs, the leaves once-pinnate, the rachis winged; flowers white or inconspicuous…3

2C. Cultivated fruit trees (once-pinnate, rachis not winged; flowers greenish or yellowish)…4

3. Native tree having soaplike translucent fruits; leaflets 6-8, pointed at the tip…Soapberry (Sapindus saponaria)

3. Landscaping exotic tree with purplish or reddish drupes; leaflets 12-16, notched at the tip…Japanese Ferntree (Filicium decipiens)

4. Fruits red; leaves sharply pointed, the blades light green beneath…Lychee (Litchi sinensis)

4. Fruits brown; leaves with dull points, the blades dark green beneath…Longan (Dimocarpus longan)