Author:
Qjure
Book:
Qjurious
Type:
Info
Chapter:
3-644.51.01
Quillaja saponaria
English: Quillai, Chile Soap bark tree; Soap bark tree; Soapbark.
German: Seifenrindenbaum.
Region: warm temperate central Chile.
Habitat: warm climate; to 2000 m above sea level; drought resistant,
Content: glycoside saponin, quillaia saponin; QS21 adjuvant; chemically related to digitonin.
Use: bark for soap; agricultural spray adjuvant; wood for cabinetry; for perfumes, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, personal care products; fire-fighting foam; food additive; additive in photographic films; foaming agent for drinks; vaccine solutions; reforestation on arid soils; ornamental in California.
DD: Rosaceae, all-c, gels, kali-hp, sapon, squil, seneg.
Source: Boericke, Clarke, Phatak.
Botany
Evergreen tree; 15–20 m tall.
Stem: thick, dark bark.
Leaves: smooth, leathery, shiny, oval; 3–5 cm long.
Flowers: white, star-shaped; 15 mm diameter.
Inflorescence: dense corymbs.
Fruit: dry; five follicles each containing 10–20 seeds.