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Dune Soapberry
Deinbollia oblongifolia
SA tree no: 430
English: Dune Soap-berry, Natal Dune Soap-berry, Soap-berry
Afrikaans: Duineseepbessie, Seepbessie
Zulu: Umantambo, Umavu, Umbani, Umhlanganiso
Xhosa: Umgxamo
Historical botanical names: Deinbollia xanthocarpa
Synonyms: Deinbollia laurifolia, Deinbollia rupestris, Deinbollia melleri, Sapindus oblongifolius
Deinbollia oblongifolia, commonly known as Dune Soap-berry or Duineseepbessie, is a small, evergreen tree or large shrub that forms a rounded, dense crown, making it a noticeable feature in its coastal habitat. It is known for its sprays of small, white to cream flowers and white, fleshy fruits.
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Distinguishing features:
Produces sprays of small, white to cream flowers.
Bears white, fleshy fruits.
Leaves are distinctly oblong, dark green and glossy on the upper surface.
Young stems may be slightly hairy.
Overall appearance:
A small, evergreen tree or large shrub, typically up to 7 metres tall, forming a dense, rounded crown.
Height:
Up to 7 m
Width:
Up to 3 m
Leaves:
Leaves are compound, meaning they are made up of several leaflets.
They are imparipinnate, typically with 3 to 7 pairs of opposite or sub-opposite leaflets, plus a single terminal leaflet.
Leaflets are oblong, obovate-oblong to narrowly elliptic or lanceolate.
They measure between 30 mm and 100 mm long and 10 mm to 30 mm wide.
The upper surface is dark green and glossy, while the underside is duller green.
The texture is somewhat leathery (coriaceous).
The margins of the leaflets are usually entire (smooth), but occasionally have a few irregular teeth towards the tip.
The apex (tip) is blunt, rounded or notched (retuse).
The base is often asymmetric.
Petiolules (stalks of the leaflets) are very short, between 1 mm and 3 mm long.
The rachis (main axis of the compound leaf) can be up to 150 mm long.
Flowers:
Flowers are small, approximately 4 mm in diameter, and white to creamy-white.
They are borne in large, branched sprays (panicles), up to 200 mm long, found at the ends of branches (terminal) or in the leaf axils (axillary).
Each flower has 5 sepals (green, leaf-like parts protecting the bud) and 5 petals.
The petals are spoon-shaped and have hairy scales inside, measuring approximately 4 mm long.
Flowers are fragrant, emitting a delicate, sweet scent.
They have 8 stamens (male parts) with yellow anthers, which protrude conspicuously from the flower.
The ovary (female part) is deeply lobed.
Flowering season:
Summer to autumn (December to April in South Africa)
Fruits:
The fruit is a roundish fleshy berry, approximately 10 mm in diameter.
It is hairy, becoming smooth, and yellow when mature.
Fruits appear in winter to spring (June–October).
Inside, each fruit contains a single, dark brown to black seed, partially covered by a thin, fleshy aril.
Seeds:
Single, globose or ovoid, dark brown to black.
Partially covered by a thin, fleshy aril.
Bark:
Smooth to slightly rough.
Greyish-brown in colour.
Stems:
Young stems may be densely or sparsely hairy, becoming hairless (glabrous) with age.
Edibility:
The fleshy aril covering the seeds is edible and has a sweet taste, although it is thin.
Toxicity:
The seeds contain saponins, which are toxic if ingested in large quantities and can cause stomach upset.
Uses:
Traditional medicine: Various parts of the plant are used in traditional medicine for treating stomach ailments, intestinal worms, and as a purgative.
Soap substitute: The seeds and fruit pulp contain saponins, which produce a lather when mixed with water, making them suitable as a traditional soap substitute for washing clothes and hair.
Horticultural: It is an attractive ornamental plant suitable for coastal gardens, providing shade and attracting wildlife.
Wood: The wood is soft and not widely used for timber, but it can be used as firewood.
Ecology:
Pollinators: The fragrant flowers attract a variety of insects, including bees and butterflies, making it an important plant for pollination.
Fruit-eaters: The yellow fruits are a significant food source for numerous bird species, including Turacos (Louries), African Green Pigeons, Pied Barbets, African Olive Pigeons, and various starlings. Monkeys, especially Vervet Monkeys, also readily consume the fruits.
Browse: The foliage is browsed by various browsers, including duiker and bushbuck.
Distribution and habitat:
Naturally found along the coastal regions of South Africa, specifically from the Eastern Cape (from East London northwards) through KwaZulu-Natal and extending into Mozambique, Eswatini, and further north into tropical Africa.
It typically grows in coastal dune forests, coastal thickets, and along the margins of evergreen forests, often very close to the sea. It is also found in scrub and riverine fringes.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Deinbollia honours the Danish botanist Peter F. Deinboll (1783–1876).
The species name oblongifolia is Latin, derived from 'oblongus' meaning 'oblong' and 'folium' meaning 'leaf', referring to the characteristic oblong shape of the leaflets.
Interesting facts:
The common name "Soap-berry" isn't just for show – the seeds and fruit pulp really do contain compounds that create a lather when rubbed with water, just like soap! It's nature's own washing machine.
This tree is quite the survivor, thriving in salty air and sandy coastal conditions where many other plants might struggle.
If you want to attract a party of birds to your garden, planting a Dune Soap-berry is a great idea – they absolutely love munching on its yellow fruits!
Growing tips:
This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade.
It is highly tolerant of salt spray and coastal conditions, making it ideal for seaside gardens.
Propagation is primarily from fresh seed. The fleshy aril should be removed from the seed before sowing to prevent fungal growth.
Seeds should be sown in a well-drained medium. Germination can be slow and erratic.
Young plants are relatively fast-growing and require moderate watering.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
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