Sapindus Linnaeus (1753: 367)

Franck, Alan R., 2024, Revision of Sapindus sect. Sapindus (Sapindeae, Sapindoideae, Sapindaceae), including the description of three new species, Phytotaxa 648 (1), pp. 1-71 : 12-13

Sapindus Linnaeus (1753: 367) .

Type (designated by Britton & Brown 1913, affirmed by Hitchcock in Hitchcock & Green 1929):— Sapindus saponaria Linnaeus (1753: 367) .

Description:—Trees, to 30 m, duodichogamous. Leaves alternate, estipulate, usually pinnately compound, usually paripinnate, rachis winged or unwinged, the leaflets alternate to opposite, entire, or leaves simple and entire (in S. oahuensis , or sometimes in other species on immature stems such as seedlings), the blade abaxially often with minute glandular foveolae, sometimes sparse and inconspicuous, or with glandular exudates on developing leaves; bases of the petioles and petiolules often becoming gray-lignescent in age. Inflorescence terminal to subterminal, usually of 100s of flowers, in cymules, flowers functionally unisexual, first phase of flowers opening functionally staminate with a reduced sterile pistil, second phase functionally pistillate with reduced sterile stamens, third phase staminate. Sepals 5, unequal. Petals 4–5(6), clawed or not, the blade with or without appendages attached near the base, appendages or margins sometimes folded inwards or involute. Disc extrastaminal, annular or semilunar, glabrous or pubescent. Stamens 8, free, anthers versatile. Ovary superior, 3-lobed, 3-locular, 1 ovule per locule; style terminal, 3-lobed. Fruit a drupaceous schizocarp, the fertile mericarps 1–3, subglobose to ellipsoidal with 0–2 rudimentary aborted mericarps, glabrous or pubescent, pericarp saponaceous; seed subglobose to ovoid, the testa rigid, black, internally with a tuft of hairs at the base.

Etymology:— The generic name is derived from the Latin sapo for soap and Latin indus (from Greek indos) for India ( Tournefort 1700: 659).

Distribution and habitat:—Tropical and subtropical America, South and East Asia, Melanesia, Polynesia, 0– 1800 m, mostly forested areas, often in calcareous soils.