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Soap bark tree facts for kids

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Soap bark tree
Quillaja 608.JPG
Scientific classification
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Genus:
Quillaja
Species:
Q. saponaria
Binomial name
Quillaja saponaria

Soap bark tree (Quillaja saponaria) is a tree of the family Quillajaceae. In commerce, it is known as Panama wood. The tree grows naturally from warm temperate central Chile north to Bolivia and Peru. It can grow to 15 m (49 ft) to 20 m (66 ft) high. The Soap bark tree gets its name because the inner bark can be made into a powder which can be used as soap. Its compounds are also used as foam in beer and other drinks. The tree also has medicinal uses.

Morphology

Quillay is an evergreen tree, with grey bark. Alternate leaves, glaber, acute apex and obtuse base, bright green, near entire margins with 4-8 teeth. Flowers light green or white, hermaphrodite, pentamer, radiate. Five petals, 5 sepals, 10 stamens and 5 pistils. Fruit: a star-shape capsule, with winged seeds.

Quillaja saponaria
star shape capsule

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Quillay para niños

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