Weed of the Week

November 6, 2007

Bouncingbet, Saponaria Officinalis

 

Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org

 

Richard Old, XID Services, Inc., Bugwood.org

 

Characteristics:

Family: Caryophyllaceae (Pink family) 

Origin: Europe

Description:

• Perennial
• Up to three feet tall

Stems:

• Stout
• Erect
• Smooth
• Swollen nodes

Flowers:

• Crowded and the ends of the stems and branches
• Generally pink to white
• Petals located at the apex of the flower

Leaves:

• Three distinct veins from the base
• Smooth, narrow
• Two to four inches long
• Opposite, located at swollen nodes

Fruit

• Dark brown circular capsule
• Flattened
• ½ “ long

Other Information:

            Brought in as a garden plant from Europe and has escaped to establish itself as a nuisance. Boucingbet if listed as a Class B Noxious weed by the state of Colorado. Once established it is aggressive and spreads rapidly to replace native and economically viable species. It contains a natural soap that can be produced from crushed leaves. Bouncingbet is poisonous and rarely grazed.

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