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Sapindus saponaria

L. (1753)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Sapindales Family: Sapindaceae Genus: Sapindus

a‘e [ae], mānele [manele]

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Deciduous trees up to 25 m tall.

Stems: Bark pale brown, fissured and falling off in large scales from mature trees.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves compound (even-pinnate). Alternate or opposite. Blades oblong–elliptic, slightly falcate, 6–16 cm long, 2–4.5 cm wide, leaflets 3–6 pairs, rachis winged in young leaves. Apex acuminate. Base rounded. Upper surfaces glabrous; lower surfaces moderately tomentose to puberulent, blades chartaceous. Margins entire, slightly undulate. Petioles 3–5 cm long, swollen at base. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in terminal, tomentose panicles to 10–20 cm long. Flowers unisexual (and the plants monoecious), actinomorphic; pedicels 1–3.5 mm long. Calyx of 5 sepals, broadly imbricate, unequal, outer ones ovate, 1.5–1.8 mm long, pubescent at least at base, inner ones suborbicular, ca. 2.5 mm long, pubescent, minutely ciliate. Corolla of 5 petals, with a 2-lobed pilose scale on inner surface at base, subequal, obovate to suborbicular–obovate, strongly concave, ca. 2 mm long, ciliate. Stamens 8, staminal filaments ca. 1 mm long, pubescent at base; anthers ellipsoid, introrse, dithecal, opening by longitudinal slits, sterile in pistillate flowers. Ovary superior, ovoid, 2–3-celled, glabrous, rudimentary in staminate flowers, 3-lobed in pistillate flowers; ovules 1 per cell; style terminal; stigma 3-lobed, lobes blunt.

Fruit: Fruit of 1(2–3) fleshy; indehiscent schizocarp; globose mericarps 1.7–2 cm long; pericarp coriaceous. Seeds 1 per mericarp; dark reddish brown to black; 1–1.2 cm long; seed coat without a tuft of hairs at base; endosperm absent.

Ploidy:

Habitat: Mesic forest.

Elevation Range: 900–1,370 m.

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

  • Seeds strung into lei and necklaces (Krauss 1993:78). Hard wood used for spears & other purposes (Malo 1951:22)

CULTURE

  • Legend of Kalaipahoa (Beckwith 1970:111).

PROPAGATION/CULTIVATION

  • The fleshy fruit of Sapindus saponaria is round and 3/4 inch long. The fruits generally ripen in the fall and winter and are brown to black when mature. Each fruit contains 1, occasionally 2 or 3, dark reddish brown to black seeds. The seeds are about 3/8 inch long. In one test, the Hawaiian population of Sapindus saponaria was found to be self-compatible.
  • The seeds of Sapindus saponaria should be removed from the fruit flesh. Germination is enhanced by scarification (penetration of the seed coat) using a sandpaper, a file or nail clippers, or cracking the seeds with a hammer being careful not to damage the end of the seed where it will sprout. A 24 hour hot water soak may also increase germination.
  • Culliney and Koebele recommend the following procedure for treating seeds of Sapindus saponaria. Scarify the seeds with a clippers or a knife. Following scarification, the seeds can either be kept in clean, moist verimulite for 1 or 2 weeks, or be soaked in a shallow pan of water until the dark outer seed coat is soft. If the seeds are soaked, the water should be changed daily.
  • Once the outer coat has softened, it can be removed by hand or with a small knife and then the thin papery brown inner coat should be carefully peeled off. This procedure leaves the cream colored embryo exposed. Handle the embryo carefully so that the embryonic root is not damaged. The embryo should be planted immediately in sterile potting soil, burying it 3/8 to 3/4 inch deep. With this method, Culliney and Koebele found that germination takes place in about a week and the germination rate is almost 100%. (Bornhorst 1996; Culliney 1999; Lilleeng-Rosenberger 1998; Wagner 1990) [Data from Herring, E. C., & Criley, R. A. (2003). The Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Web Site: Developing a Webbased Information Resource. HortTechnology, 13(3), 545-548. https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/hawnprop/]

Natural History

Statewide Status

Indigenous

Island Status

Kaua'i Only found in cultivation
O'ahu Indigenous
Maui Indigenous
Hawai'i Indigenous

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Specimens

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Bibliography

Name Published In: Sp. Pl.: 367 (1753)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1229 (H); Staples & Herbst 2005:512 (KEY), 517 (DESCR)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Scientific Name Authorship Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Sapindus saponaria L. Honolulu: Kapalama: On the grounds of Bishop Museum PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Takeuchi, W.N. s.n. Oahu BISH 7/1/1987
2 Sapindus saponaria L. Huehue roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Degener, O. 30241 Hawaii BISH 8/24/1926
3 Sapindus saponaria L. Honolulu; Bishop Museum; beside wall bordering Likelike Hwy PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Staples, G. 1001 Oahu BISH 3/24/1995
4 Sapindus saponaria L. East Maui, Hana District, Kalahu Point, NTBG, Kahanu Garden PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Flynn, T. 5882 Maui BISH 11/16/1995
5 Sapindus saponaria L. Honolulu, Maunakea St, bought at herb store PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Woolford, H.A. s.n. Oahu BISH 8/1/1949
6 Sapindus saponaria L. National Park, Mauna Loa strip road, Kipuka Puaulu, NE of Bird Park mixed mesophytic forest with Acacia koa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lorence, D.H. 5682 Hawaii BISH 11/3/1987
7 Sapindus saponaria L. kipuka puaulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN russ, g.w. Hawaii BISH 8/8/1927
8 Sapindus saponaria L. Honolulu, Kamehameha Schools, Waonahele native plantation PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Munro, G.C. 4 Oahu BISH 10/11/1964
9 Sapindus saponaria L. kau: kapapala PRESERVED_SPECIMEN forbes, c.n. collector number: 395.h Hawaii BISH 8/8/1911
10 Sapindus saponaria L. Bird Forest, Kilauea PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Giffard, W.M. s.n. Hawaii BISH 8/9/1927
11 Sapindus saponaria L. national park, kipuka puaulu mesic forest with Pisonia, Acacia, Coprosma, Osmanthus, Straussia, Myrsine PRESERVED_SPECIMEN stone, b.c. collector number: 3081 Hawaii BISH 8/8/1959
12 Sapindus saponaria L. honolulu: makiki district park In full sun. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lau, j. collector number: 1720 Oahu BISH 12/9/1985
13 Sapindus saponaria L. Keamoku lava flow near Kipuka Ki open forest of Acacia koa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Takeuchi, W.N. 3645 Hawaii BISH 8/2/1987
14 Sapindus saponaria L. puuwaawaa On rocks. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN munro, g.c. Kauai BISH 6/7/1923
15 Sapindus saponaria L. Honolulu, 597 S. King St PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Price, J.P. s.n. Oahu BISH 12/3/1942
16 Sapindus saponaria L. honolulu, maunakea st, bought at herb store PRESERVED_SPECIMEN woolford, h.a. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 8/8/1949
17 Sapindus saponaria L. n. kona, puuwaawaa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN rock, j.f.c. collector number: 3826 Hawaii BISH 6/15/1909
18 Sapindus saponaria L. vineyard st., mauka between punchbowl and emma PRESERVED_SPECIMEN neal, m.c. Oahu BISH 8/7/1947
19 Sapindus saponaria L. East Maui, Ulupalakua PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Wilder, G.P. s.n. Maui BISH 3/27/1905
20 Sapindus saponaria L. hawaii PRESERVED_SPECIMEN morley, h. Oahu BISH 6/1/1934
21 Sapindus saponaria L. kipuka puaulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN forbes, c.n. collector number: 1034.h Hawaii BISH 7/1/1915
22 Sapindus saponaria L. Kona in old, established ca. 100 year old plantation PRESERVED_SPECIMEN van Royen, P. 11904 Hawaii BISH 6/27/1982
23 Sapindus saponaria L. honolulu, 902 birch st Small weedy herb on bank along dirt roadway fording waterway adjacent to Kalahikiola Church. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN pukui, m.k. Hawaii BISH 12/8/1943
24 Sapindus saponaria L. base of Kaoiki Pali, !/2 mi NE up Peter Lee Rd., Kau gulch in steep pasture PRESERVED_SPECIMEN St. John, H. 23956 Hawaii BISH 12/25/1949
25 Sapindus saponaria L. puuwaawaa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN munro, g.c. Hawaii BISH 6/7/1923
26 Sapindus saponaria L. Kipuka Puaulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forbes, C.N. 1034.H Hawaii BISH 7/1/1915
27 Sapindus saponaria L. near Mauna Loa Road PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Krajina, V.J. 611226005 Hawaii BISH 12/26/1961
28 Sapindus saponaria L. national park, kipuka ki PRESERVED_SPECIMEN stone, b.c. collector number: 3087 Hawaii BISH 8/8/1959
29 Sapindus saponaria L. N. Kona, W slope of Puuwaawaa native forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Herbst, D.R. 5475 Hawaii BISH 9/23/1975
30 Sapindus saponaria L. honolulu: kapalama: on the grounds of bishop museum PRESERVED_SPECIMEN takeuchi, w.n. collector number: s.n. Oahu BISH 7/1/1987
31 Sapindus saponaria L. kipuka puaulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN rock, j.f.c. collector number: 10102 Hawaii BISH 8/8/1911
32 Sapindus saponaria L. Mauna Loa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Rock, J.F.C. 10102 Hawaii BISH 7/1/1911
33 Sapindus saponaria L. east maui, ulupalakua PRESERVED_SPECIMEN wilder, g.p. Oahu BISH 8/8/1913
34 Sapindus saponaria L. near Mauna Loa Road PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Krajina, V.J. Collector Number: 611226005 Hawaii BISH 12/26/1961
35 Sapindus saponaria L. huehue roadside PRESERVED_SPECIMEN degener, o. collector number: 30241 Hawaii BISH 8/24/1926
36 Sapindus saponaria L. Mauna Loa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Rock, J.F.C. s.n. Hawaii BISH 3/1/1911
37 Sapindus saponaria L. mauna loa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN rock, j.f.c. collector number: 10102 Hawaii BISH 7/1/1911
38 Sapindus saponaria L. Honolulu, 902 Birch St PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Pukui, M.K. s.n. Oahu BISH 12/8/1943
39 Sapindus saponaria L. N. Kona, Puuwaawaa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Rock, J.F.C. 3826 Hawaii BISH 6/15/1909
40 Sapindus saponaria L. honolulu, kamehameha schools, waonahele native plantation PRESERVED_SPECIMEN munro, g.c. collector number: 4 Oahu BISH 10/11/1964
41 Sapindus saponaria L. kona plantation PRESERVED_SPECIMEN van royen, p. collector number: 11904 Hawaii BISH 6/27/1982
42 Sapindus saponaria L. keamoku lava flow near kipuka ki Becoming naturalized in a pasture. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN takeuchi, w.n. et al. collector number: 3645 Maui BISH 8/2/1987
43 Sapindus saponaria L. National Park, Kipuka Puaulu mesic forest with Pisonia, Acacia, Coprosma, Osmanthus, Straussia, Myrsine PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Stone, B.C. 3081 Hawaii BISH 8/8/1959
44 Sapindus saponaria L. mauna loa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN rock, j.f.c. Hawaii BISH 3/1/1911
45 Sapindus saponaria L. koloa, lawai, ntbg, big valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN flynn, t. collector number: 5506 Kauai BISH 1/27/1994
46 Sapindus saponaria L. Honolulu, Waikiki, near 246 Kapili St PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Neal, M.C. s.n. Oahu BISH 10/28/1939
47 Sapindus saponaria L. near mauna loa road PRESERVED_SPECIMEN krajina, v.j. collector number: 611226005 Hawaii BISH 12/26/1961
48 Sapindus saponaria L. Manoa Valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hanson, N. Oahu BISH 8/23/1963
49 Sapindus saponaria L. n. kona, w slope of puuwaawaa native forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN herbst, d.r. spence, g. collector number: 5475 Hawaii BISH 9/23/1975
50 Sapindus saponaria L. Kilauea, Bird Park open woods PRESERVED_SPECIMEN St. John, H. 11267 Hawaii BISH 12/22/1931
51 Sapindus saponaria L. keamoku lava flow near kipika ki Infrequent in heath scrub with Vaccinium reticulatum, Styphelia, Sophora, Sadleria, Hypochoeris, etc. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN team collector number: 3645 Maui BISH 8/2/1987
52 Sapindus saponaria L. Wahiawa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Pearsall, G.A. s.n. Oahu BISH 6/26/1954
53 Sapindus saponaria L. kilauea, bird park open woods PRESERVED_SPECIMEN st.john, h. bean, r.s.; hosaka, e.y. collector number: 11267 Hawaii BISH 12/22/1931
54 Sapindus saponaria L. base of kaoiki pali, !/2 mi. ne up peter lee rd., kau gulch in steep pasture PRESERVED_SPECIMEN st.john, h. hatheway, w.h.; morton, n.e. collector number: 23956 Hawaii BISH 12/25/1949
55 Sapindus saponaria L. bird forest, kilauea dry forest PRESERVED_SPECIMEN giffard, w.m. Maui BISH 8/9/1927
56 Sapindus saponaria L. manoa valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN hanson, n. Oahu BISH 8/23/1963
57 Sapindus saponaria L. Vineyard St., mauka between Punchbowl and Emma PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Neal, M.C. s.n. Oahu BISH 8/7/1947
58 Sapindus saponaria L. honolulu, waikiki, near 246 kapili st PRESERVED_SPECIMEN neal, m.c. Oahu BISH 10/28/1939
59 Sapindus saponaria L. national park, mauna loa strip road, kipuka puaulu, ne of bird park mixed mesophytic forest with Acacia koa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN lorence, d.h. plews, j.h.r. collector number: 5682 Hawaii BISH 11/3/1987
60 Sapindus saponaria L. honolulu, 597 s. king st Vegetation: open Metrosideros forest on unweathered aa with scrub. VegEtation consisting of Polypodium, Coprosma, Dodonaea and Vaccinium PRESERVED_SPECIMEN price, j.p. Hawaii BISH 12/3/1942
61 Sapindus saponaria L. Kipuka Puaulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Rock, J.F.C. 10102 Hawaii BISH 8/1/1911
62 Sapindus saponaria L. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN otto degener & isa degener 34434 FLAS 9/18/1977
63 Sapindus saponaria L. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hatheway, W.H.|Morton, H.E. MNHN 12/25/1949
64 Sapindus saponaria L. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN forbes, c.n. MNHN 9/1/1909
65 Sapindus saponaria L. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN rémy, j. MNHN 1851-01-01
66 Sapindus saponaria L. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN forbes, c.n. MNHN 8/1/1911
67 Sapindus saponaria L. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN hatheway, w.h.|morton, h.e. MNHN 12/25/1949
68 Sapindus saponaria L. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forbes, C.N. MNHN 8/1/1911
69 Sapindus saponaria L. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN rock, j.f. MNHN 7/1/1911
70 Sapindus saponaria L. Waimea Arboretum & Botanical Garden, 59-864 Kamehameha Hwy, Hawaiian section Cultivated PRESERVED_SPECIMEN C. R. Annable 3515 NY 5/16/1997
71 Sapindus saponaria L. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forbes, C.N. MNHN 7/1/1915
72 Sapindus saponaria L. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN forbes, c.n. MU 7/1/1915
73 Sapindus saponaria L. mauna loa, kipuka ki PRESERVED_SPECIMEN j. f. c. rock 8772 NY 4/7/1911
74 Sapindus saponaria L. Lawai Valley. National Tropical Botanical Garden, Big Valley. Old native Hawaiian plants section NE of Canoe Hale. Cultivated. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 7688 Kauai PTBG 10/4/2013
75 Sapindus saponaria L. Lawai Valley. National Tropical Botanical Garden. McBryde Garden, Big Valley. Cultivated. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 5506 Kauai PTBG 1/27/1994
76 Sapindus saponaria L. Lawai Valley. National Tropical Botanical Garden, McBryde Garden, Big Valley. Cultivated. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 5506 Kauai PTBG 1/27/1994
77 Sapindus saponaria L. MAUI: Hana District, Kalahu Point, Hana. Cultivated plants of the National Tropical Botanical Garden's Kahanu Garden. Elev. 0-50 ft. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 5882 Maui PTBG 11/16/1995
78 Sapindus saponaria L. kapapala, kau. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN c. n. forbes 395.h Hawaii US
79 Sapindus saponaria L. mauna loa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN a. s. hitchcock 14637 Hawaii US 9/13/1916
80 Sapindus saponaria L. MAUI: Hana District, Kalahu Point, Hana. Cultivated plants of the National Tropical Botanical Garden's Kahanu Garden. Elev. 0-50 ft. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Tim Flynn 5883 Maui PTBG 11/16/1995
81 Sapindus saponaria L. Kipuka Ki, Mauna Loa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Rock, J. F. 8772 Hawaii US 4/11/2020
82 Sapindus saponaria L. Kipuka Puaulu [Puu a Ulu] PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forbes, C. N. 1034.H Hawaii US 7/1/2015
83 Sapindus saponaria L. north kona district, west slope of pu`u waa waa, near the summit. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN d. r. herbst & g. spence 5475 Hawaii US 9/23/1975
84 Sapindus saponaria L. Kapapala, Kau. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forbes, C. N. 395.H Hawaii US 8/11/2020
85 Sapindus saponaria L. Mauna Loa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hitchcock, A. S. 14637 Hawaii US 9/13/2016
86 Sapindus saponaria L. kipuka puaulu [puu a ulu] PRESERVED_SPECIMEN c. n. forbes 1034.h Hawaii US 7/1/1915
87 Sapindus saponaria L. N. Kona, Puuwaawaa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Rock, J. F. 3826 Oahu US 6/15/2009
88 Sapindus saponaria L. mauna loa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN j. f. rock 10102 Hawaii US
89 Sapindus saponaria L. n. kona, puuwaawaa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN j. f. rock 3826 Oahu US 6/15/1909
90 Sapindus saponaria L. mauna loa, kipuka ki PRESERVED_SPECIMEN j. f. rock 8772 Hawaii US
91 Sapindus saponaria L. puuwaawaa. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN g. c. munro 524 Hawaii US 6/7/1923
92 Sapindus saponaria L. Kapapala, Kau PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forbes, C. N. 395.H Hawaii US 8/11/2020
93 Sapindus saponaria L. Queen's Hospital grounds, Honolulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Yuncker, T. G. 3625 Oahu US 1933-00-00
94 Sapindus saponaria L. kipuka ki, mauna loa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN j. f. rock 8772 Hawaii US
95 Sapindus saponaria L. queen's hospital grounds, honolulu PRESERVED_SPECIMEN t. g. yuncker 3625 Oahu US 2/5/1933
96 Sapindus saponaria L. waimea arboretum & botanical garden, 59-864 kamehameha hwy, hawaiian section PRESERVED_SPECIMEN c. r. annable 3515 Kauai US 5/16/1997
97 Sapindus saponaria L. Puuwaawaa. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Munro, G. C. 524 Hawaii US 6/7/2023
98 Sapindus saponaria L. kapapala, kau PRESERVED_SPECIMEN c. n. forbes 395.h Hawaii US
99 Sapindus saponaria L. Mauna Loa, Kipuka Ki PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Rock, J. F. 8772 Hawaii US 4/11/2020
100 Sapindus saponaria L. National Park, Kipuka Ki PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Stone, B.C. 3087 Hawaii BISH 8/8/1959
101 Sapindus saponaria L. honolulu; bishop museum; beside wall bordering likelike hwy PRESERVED_SPECIMEN staples, g.w. collector number: 1001 Oahu BISH 3/24/1995
102 Sapindus saponaria L. wahiawa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN pearsall, g.a. Oahu BISH 6/26/1954
103 Sapindus saponaria L. Keamoku lava flow near Kipika Ki In open forest of Acacia koa, a canopy codominant with only a few individuals. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Team 3645 Hawaii BISH 8/2/1987
104 Sapindus saponaria L. Manoa Valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Hanson, N. s.n. Oahu BISH 8/23/1963
105 Sapindus saponaria L. Kau: Kapapala PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Forbes, C.N. 395.H Hawaii BISH 8/1/1911
106 Sapindus saponaria L. east maui, hana district, kalahu point, ntbg, kahanu garden On steep slopes in mesic forest and dry shrubland. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN flynn, t. lorence, d. collector number: 5882 Molokai BISH 11/16/1995
107 Sapindus saponaria L. Mauna Loa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Rock, J. F. 10102 Hawaii US 1911-00-00
108 Sapindus saponaria L. Mauna Loa, Kipuka Ki PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Rock, J.F.C. 8772 Hawaii BISH 4/1/1911
109 Sapindus saponaria L. mauna loa, kipuka ki PRESERVED_SPECIMEN rock, j.f.c. collector number: 8772 Hawaii BISH 4/1/1911
110 Sapindus saponaria L. Koloa, Lawai, NTBG, Big Valley PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Flynn, T. 5506 Kauai BISH 1/27/1994
111 Sapindus saponaria L. Honolulu: Makiki District Park In full sun. PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Lau, J. 1720 Oahu BISH 12/9/1985
112 Sapindus saponaria L. Puuwaawaa PRESERVED_SPECIMEN Munro, G.C. s.n. Hawaii BISH 6/7/1923
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