Gymnocladus chinensis
Soap Tree
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Gymnocladus genus in the family Leguminosae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Leguminosae
- Genus
- Gymnocladus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- slow
- Height
- 12 m
- Fertility
- self sterile
- Flower type
- dioecious
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
- Plant part
- Seed
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The fruit is high in saponins and is used as a soap for washing fabrics and the body[1][8][9]. Wood - hard, durable, finishes to a fine lustre. It is used for cabinet making[6].
- Product or use
- Soap
- Product or use
- Wood
Ecology and functions
- Ecosystem niche
- Canopy, Secondary canopy
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China.
- Habitat
- Plains and foothills to 1200 metres[3].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 9+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe[5]. The seed can also be sown in early spring in a greenhouse[10]. Scarification and pre-soaking the seed for 24 hours in warm water, especially if it has been stored, will improve germination[5]. Make sure the seed has swollen after soaking, soak it again if it has not and, if it still does not swell, try filing away some of the seedcoat but be careful not to damage the embryo. As soon as they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into fairly deep individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them some protection against the cold for their first couple of winters outdoors Root cuttings 4cm long and 1cm thick in a greenhouse in December[5]. Plant the roots horizontally in pots[10]. Good percentage.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a deep rich well-drained moisture retentive soil and a sunny position[1][5]. A very ornamental plant, it is only hardy in the mildest areas of Britain[1] tolerating temperatures down to about to -5°c[5]. It rarely flowers in Britain, requiring more summer heat than it usually gets here. The tree has a light canopy so does not cast much shade and is therefore a good species for the top canopy of a woodland garden. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[5]. At least some members of this genus do not have these nitrogen-producing bacteria on the roots[7].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622
Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00