Quillaja

Quillaja saponaria

Quillaja is the only genus of the plant family of Quillajaceae within the order of the butterfly -like flowers ( Fabales ). The only two species occur in South America.

Description

The two Quillaja species are small, evergreen trees. The spirally arranged on the branches of deciduous leaves are simple and have a serrated or toothed margin. Stipules are present.

The flowers are borne in terminal inflorescences. The hermaphroditic, flowers are radial symmetry fünfzählig double perianth. There are five sepals and petals present. There are two circles, each with five stamens present. You have five upper permanent, free ( apokarpe ) carpels. Pollination is by insects.

Are formed follicles; stuck with it ever five star shape ( see photo). The seeds are winged.

Systematics and distribution

The Quillajaceae family or genus Quillaja contains two species that occur only in South America:

• Quillaja brasiliensis ( A.St. - Hil. & Tul. ) Mart. ( Syn: .. Fontenellea brasiliensis A.St. - Hil & Tul ) It is native to southern Brazil, northeastern Argentina and northern Uruguay.
• Soap bark tree ( Quillaja saponaria Molina ), rarely also called Panama wood. It is native to the warm temperate central Chile.

The genus was formerly classified in the tribe Quillajeae in the subfamily Spiraeoideae the Rosaceae family. Therefore, the species are also called Soap spars.

Pedigree within the order Fabales:

Quillajaceae

Legume ( Fabaceae )

Surianaceae

Finials plants ( Polygalaceae )

Use

The said in English " soap bark tree" soap bark tree ( Quillaja saponaria ) is used in folk medicine. The bark ( " panama bark "), and which contains saponins, is used for primarily as soaps and shampoos. Quillaja extract (E 999) is an authorized in the EU food additive, which is also derived from the bark of soap bark tree.

The use of the bark as sneezing powder is banned in Germany by the Commodities Regulation.

Swell

• The Quillajaceae in APWebsite family. ( Section systematics)
• The Quillajacea Family at Tree of Life Project. (Sections Description and systematics)
• Quillajaceae in the Germplasm Resources Information Network ( GRIN), USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.