Bouncingbet
Saponaria officinalis L.
Keys to Identification
Flowers are clustered at the ends of branches- Bouncingbet leaves originate from slightly swollen nodes
This information courtesy of the Colorado Natural Areas Program
Family: Caryophyllaceae (Pink)
Other Names: soapwort, lady by the garden gate
USDA Code: SAOF4
Legal Status: Colorado Noxious Weed List B
Identification
Growth form: Perennial forb.
Flower: The flowers are crowded at the ends of branches, and have five petals that are generally pink and slightly notched at the apex. July-Sept.
Seeds/Fruit: Fruits are many-seeded capsules. Seeds are dull-black and roundish or kidney-shaped.
Leaves: Leaves are opposite, smooth, narrow, 2-4 in long and have three distinct veins from the base.
Stems: Mature plants are up to 3 ft tall with stout, erect, smooth, branching stems.
Roots: Rhizomatous root system
Seedling: No information available.
Similar Species
Exotics: None known.
Natives: Cerastium spp. (mouse-ear) have separate (usually white) petals instead of united petals. Many other members of the pink family appear similar.
Impacts
Agricultural: Can be poisonous to livestock although it is generally considered unpalatable.
Ecological: Spreads rapidly, replacing more valuable species (e.g. perennial grasses).
Habitat and Distribution
General requirements: Often found in large dense patches on hillsides, along river courses, roadsides, meadows, and waste areas. It prefers moist, well-drained soil, and full sun to partial shade and is currently found primarily in municipal areas and nearby wildlands.
Distribution: Scattered throughout the United States. Bouncingbet is increasingly common in Colorado, particularly in residential areas and local open spaces where it has escaped cultivation as an ornamental species.
Historical: Originally introduced from Europe as a garden ornamental and for its saponins, which are the source of it soap-producing qualities (Lokker and Cavers 1995).
Biology/Ecology
Life cycle: Flowering begins in July and continues until September.
Mode of reproduction: Reproduces by seed and spreads clonally by rhizomes.
Seed production: No information available.
Seed bank: No information available.
Dispersal: No information available.
Integrated Management Summary
Bouncingbet is not yet widespread in Colorado, so the most important control is to be on the lookout for it and prevent new infestations. If infestations are discovered, they should be controlled immediately, and all seed production prevented. Since bouncingbet usually grows in dense patches it is relatively easy to spot and treat. Be aware that this species is often found in wet areas, which may restrict the use of certain hesticides. As with all perennial weeds that have extensive root systems, the key to controlling bouncingbet is to eliminate seed production while depleting the nutrient reserves in the roots.
Control
References
Lokker, C. and P.B. Cavers. The effects of physical damage on seed production in flowering plants of Saponaria officinalis. Canadian Journal of Botany 73:235-243.
Whitson, T.D.(ed.), L.C. Burrill, S.A. Dewey, D.W. Cudney, B.E. Nelson, R.D. Lee, R. Parker. 1996. Bouncingbet. Weeds of the West. Western Society of Weed Science, in cooperation with the Western United States Land Grant Universities Cooperative Extension Services, Newark, CA.
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