Wild Flowers of Sleepy Hollow LakeSoapwort (Saponaria officinalis)
Wild Flowers of Sleepy Hollow Lake From All-Creatures.org Art and Photo Journals and Galleries Directory

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Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis)
Table of Contents

Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) - 01
(Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) - 01)  The soapwort is a member of the Pink family.  They grow from one to two feet tall.  The leaves are lanceolate with three to five ribs and they grow opposite each other on the stem.  In this photo, the leaves of the soapwort are the smaller ones growing near the flowers.
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) - 02
(Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) - 02)  This is an enlarged view of the soapwort flower which is actually about one inch in diameter.  The flowers have 5 petals, 10 stamens and 1 pistil.
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) - 03
(Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) - 03)  This is an enlargement of the center of the soapwort.  The leaves of the soapwort contain saponins, detergent-like substances.  When the leaves are crushed and mixed with a little water, they form a lather, which gave this wildflower its common name.
Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) - 04
(Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) - 04)  This is an enlarged side view of the soapwort flower.  Soapworts bloom from July through September.

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