Common name: Notched Leaf Soapnut • Hindi: रीठा Reetha • Kannada: Kookatakayi, Kudale-kaye, Kukate-kayi • Malayalam: Chavakayimaram, Punnan-kotta, Urvanjik-kaya, Uruangi • Marathi: aritha, rimgi, rimthi • Oriya: Ritha • Sanskrit: Arishta, arishtaphalam, Aristam, Phenila • Tamil: Ponnankottai, Manipungan maram, Poovandikottai • Telugu: Kukudu-kayalu, Kungititkaya, Kunkudu-chettu
Botanical name: Sapindus emarginatus Family: Sapindaceae (Soapberry family)
Identification credit: J.M. Garg, Dinesh Valke, Tanay Bose, Satish Phadke
Notched Leaf Soapnut is a medium to large size deciduous tree growing up
to 18 m tall, with a 1.5 m trunk girth. Bark is grey, shiny, covered with
rough falling scales. Leaves are pinnate, 12-30 cm long. Leaflets are 2-3
pairs, lance-shaped, elliptic or oblong, long pointed or with a notched
tip, dull above. Flowers are white, polygamous, male flowers, numerous, a
few bisexual, both found in the same rusty-velvety panicles. Bisexual
flowers provide ample pollen and nectar to bees. Fruits are fleshy, 2-3
partially united, seeds pea-size, enclosed in a blackish, hard endocarp.
Fruits possess several medicinal properties and
are widely used for example in the treatment of asthma, colic and
dysentery, and during childbirth.