No soap? No problem! This PEI plant has you covered. Meet Soapwort (aka Bouncing Bet, Saponaria officinalis).
I learn new things about our Island plants every year, and one of this summer’s lessons was just how hardy Soapwort is. I’m used to seeing this plant along roadside ditches, but while doing a foraging walk with the wonderful Beach Goats in St. Chrystostome, they showed me some growing on the coast in pure sand (Photo 1 by Devon Saila, used with permission). Beaches are among the toughest habitats for plants, and I certainly did not expect to find Soapwort there. Given that it can tolerate such dry, sandy, salty conditions, I can see why it’s described as an easy-to-grow, hands-off garden plant!
Soapwort is native to Europe and was brought to North America centuries ago. It’s been known in the wild on PEI since at least the 1920s, escaping gardens and colonizing roadsides across the province (Photo 2). The beautiful pink flowers (Photo 3) emit a lovely peppery-sweet scent after dark; for me the sight and smell of Soapwort is as much a sign of summer’s impending end as is the arrival of Old Home Week.
All parts of Soapwort contain saponins: compounds that are both water- and fat-soluble and foam when agitated. That’s pretty much the definition of soap. You can infuse Soapwort in water to get an effective yet gentle cleaner. Historically, it was used to clean delicate fabrics and tapestry, and was planted around woolen and textile mills to be on hand when needed. Today, museum conservators still use Soapwort to gently clean historical artwork and fabrics in their care.
You can easily experience Soapwort’s soapiness yourself by squeezing the bulbous-looking base of the flower (technically the calyx, Photo 4). You’ll immediately notice a soapy feel to the juice. Add a little water and rub the flower between your fingers for a minute, and it will lather nicely. To make batches of Soapwort at home, break or crush the leaves and simmer them for about 10 minutes. Remove the leaves, whisk the water, and that’s your cleaner (you can do this with the roots too, it’s just more work). One note of caution if you’re going to try Soapwort soap: it will sting if you get it in your eyes.
From the plant’s point of view, the purpose of saponins is protection from predators. Saponins are toxic to insects and fish, and most mammals find them bitter-tasting and unpalatable. Although Soapwort isn’t considered edible for humans – it can cause vomiting and diarrhea – small quantities are used in traditional production of halva (a delicious Middle Eastern dessert) to give it that characteristic texture. Soapwort’s saponins are also the focus of ongoing research into potential antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, and other medicinal uses.
If you’d like to meet Soapwort and the Beach Goats, check out our final scheduled event, coming up this Thursday, August 15th, 2024, from 6-8 pm in St. Chrysostome. Soapwort is an attractive and practical part of PEI untamed!
Comentarios