Saponaria officinalis
Caryophyllaceae
Bouncing Bet
Erect, hairless. Stems unbranched on lower section, branched inflorescence. Leaves egg-shaped, 1–4 in. long, with short petioles or sessile. Flowers on erect stalks in dense clusters of 20–40, topping stems. Flowers have 5 fused sepals; petals 5, pale to bright pink, 1–2 in. long, egg-shaped, notched at tip. Grows in edges of streams, roads, disturbed areas, below 3000 ft. Native of Europe. Saponaria is Latin for "soap," referring to the sap, which lathers with water.
- Rarity: Locally Common
- Flowering Time: Early Summer
- Flower Form: Petals 5, Completely Free, Regular Shape, Ovary Su
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Height: 1–3 feet
- Habitat: Coastal, Disturbed
- Found In: East Gorge, N Cascades NP, Olympic NP, West Gorge
- Native: Yes
- Also Known As: Soapwort
