(Common Soapwort)
Saponaria officinalis, Lory State Park, Larimer Co. 7767
Saponaria officinalis, Lory State Park, Larimer Co. 7754
Saponaria officinalis, Lory State Park, Larimer Co. 7758
Saponaria officinalis, Lory State Park, Larimer Co. 7765
| Scientific Name | Saponaria officinalis | USDA PLANTS Symbol | SAOF4 |
| Common Name | Common Soapwort, Bouncing Bet | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 20039 |
| Family | Caryophyllaceae (Pink) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Plains and foothills (4500 to 8500 ft.); usually sand, gravelly soils in disturbed areas, along roadsides, streambanks and fields. Plant: Colony-forming perennial, 1 to 3 ft. tall; erect, smooth stems branching upward. Leaves: Opposite, elliptic, oblanceolate, or ovate, 1-1/4 to 4-1/3 inches long and 5/8 to 1-3/4 inches wide; sessile or on a winged petiole; blades have 3 conspicuous longitudinal veins; edges are entire. Inflorescence: Loose, open cyme with a few to many flowers, 5/8 to 1-1/4 inches across, 5 white to pink-tinged petals with rounded, notched tips, becoming pink and reflexed with age; with 10 stamens and 2 styles; below the petals is a slender, tubular, light green to reddish calyx about 1 inch long with 5 short triangular teeth at its tip. Bloom Period: June to September. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, Minnesota Wildflowers, SEINet and Colorado Department of Agriculture |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Introduced NOXIOUS WEED |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains