Sapindus saponaria var. saponaria

Description:

Mnele, Ae, or SoapberrySapindaceae (Soapberry family)Indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands (Huallai, Mauna Loa and Klauea, Hawaii Island only)Oahu (Cultivated)Dozens of volunteer saplings (seedlings) coming up through the thick mnele leaf debris. Mnele is very easy to grow from seed.Apparently the pulp of the fruit was used by early Hawaiians as a soap for shampooing hair and washing clothes in the past.EtymologyThe generic name Sapindus is derived from Latin sapo, or soap, and indicus, Indian.The speicific epithet saponaria, similar to the generic name, is from the Latin saponis, or soap-like, referring to the saponin or soapy substance that comes from the fleshy seeds.NPH00009nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Sapindus_saponaria