Saponaria officinalis (Bouncing Bet): Minnesota Wildflowers

Saponaria officinalis (Bouncing Bet)

Plant Info
Also known as:	Soapwort
Genus:	Saponaria
Family:	Caryophyllaceae (Pink)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	Europe
Status:	Weedy
Habitat:	part shade, sun; roadsides, ditches, edges of streams
Bloom season:	July - September
Plant height:	12 to 30 inches
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map

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Detailed Information

Flower:

Flowers are about 1 inch across, 5 notched petals that spread out, then back as the flower ages. The color ranges from pale pink to white. 10 stamens protrude from the center. Behind the flower is a 1-inch long light green calyx. A small group of flowers cluster at the top of the main stem and at the end of side stems that branch from the upper leaf axils.

Leaves:

Leaves are generally oval or egg-shaped with pointed tips, up to 4 inches long and 2 inches wide, with little or no leaf stem. There are 3 prominent parallel veins. The leaf edges are smooth and usually somewhat wavy. Attachment is opposite but there are often smaller leaves growing from the leaf axils.

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More photos

full length of plant, about 30 inches tall

Photos taken at Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, Coon Rapids, MN and Pioneer Park, Blaine, MN, July-August 2007

Comments

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