Common Soapwort
Taken in Norfolk on 16th July 2010 using Nikon D40X with Nikon 300 mm zoom lens.
Fact File

Variant, Rosea Plena. Taken at Doonfoot on 29th August 2021 using Panasonic Lumix LX5 in macro mode.
Common Soapwort.
Species:
Order:
Family:
Habit:
AKA:
Saponaria officinalis.
Caryophyllales.
Caryophyllaceae.
Perennial.
Habitat:
Blooms:

Height:
Feature:

Cool places, hedgerows and roadways.
In the Northern hemisphere: May - September.
In the Southern hemisphere: October - March
Up to 70 cms.
As the name implies, it can be used as a very gentle soap, usually in dilute solution. It has historically been used to clean delicate or unique textiles.

A lathery liquid that has the ability to dissolve fats or grease can be procured by boiling the leaves or roots in water. Take a large handful of leaves, bruise and chop them and boil for 30 minutes in 1 pint/600ml of water; strain off the liquid and use this as you would washing-up liquid