Sapindus mukorossi, commonly known as Indian soapberry or washnut, is a deciduous tree native to warm temperate to tropical regions in South Asia, including the lower foothills of the Himalayas, parts of India, southern China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. It typically grows at altitudes up to 3,000 feet (914 meters). The tree can reach a height of 49-82 feet (15-25 meters) with a broad, spreading crown. The leaves are pinnate, with 5-10 pairs of leaflets, and the bark is rough and gray. It produces small, white, grouped flowers that are not particularly showy, followed by yellow to golden-brown drupes containing saponin-rich seeds. The fruiting season is from late summer to fall.

The Indian soapberry’s fruits are valued for their high saponin content, which is a natural surfactant used for cleansing hair, skin, and clothing. This makes the tree useful for sustainable and eco-friendly cleaning products. It is also planted as an ornamental tree in gardens and parks for its attractive foliage and fruit. In cultivation, it requires full sun to part shade, moderate water, and well-drained soil. It is relatively low maintenance but can be susceptible to pests like scales and mites.CC BY-SA 4.0