Sapindus trifoliatus L

 

Family: Sapindaceae

Synonym: Sapindus mollis Blume 

Vernacular name: Aritha, Chavakai, Ponnankotta, Soapinkaimaram, Urulungi

Habit: Tree

Habitat: Semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests, also in the plains

Distribution: South Asia

Flowering & Fruiting: December-April

Key identification features: These trees reach a height of 18 m and have greyish-brown bark that can be brittle or semi-fibrous. Their leaves are paripinnate, with 4-6 leaflets each. The flowers are greenish-white, and the fruit is a globose drupe, initially greenish-yellow and later wrinkled when ripe.

 Uses: Its fruits serve as a natural detergent due to their high saponin content. In hair care, it’s used to treat lice and dandruff.