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Quillay
Quillaja saponaria
-33.3519, -70.5595
Field Notes
Description:
Superior Taxa: Spiraeoideae, Rosaceae, Rosales<br>
Quillaja saponaria, the soap bark tree or Soapbark, is an evergreen tree in the family Quillajaceae, native to warm temperate central Chile.<br>
The tree has thick, dark bark, smooth, leathery, shiny, oval evergreen leaves 3–5 cm long, white flowers 15 mm diameter borne in dense corymbs, and a dry fruit with five follicles each containing 10-20 seeds.
Habitat:
Populations are found even 2000 m (6500 ft) above sea level. It can grow to 15–20 m (50–65 ft) in height.<br>
The species is drought resistant, and tolerates about -12°C (10°F) in its natural habitat.
Notes:
Soap bark tree has a long history of medicinal use with the Andean people who used it especially as a treatment for various chest problems. It is the source of quillaia, the extract of which is used as a food additive and as an ingredient in pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and fire-fighting foam. It is used as additive for photographic films and foaming for drinks. The saponin content of the bark helps to stimulate the production of a more fluid mucous in the airways, thus facilitating the removal of phlegm through coughing.
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