Sapindaceae · Sapindus

Reetha / Soapnut Tree

Sapindus emarginatus

Tree
Habit
Tree
Found in India
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana & more
Flowering
February-December

Plant Details

Scientific name
Sapindus emarginatus
Genus
Sapindus
Habit
Tree
Habitat
Dry deciduous forests and margins of grasslands
Habitat type
Forest, Grassland
Distribution
India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Pakistan
Found in India
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra
Flowering & fruiting
February-December
Conservation status
Not Evaluated (NE)

Leaf characters

Leaf type
Pinnately compound (leaflets in rows along a stalk)recorded

Typical of the family

Arrangement
Alternate
Entire margin leaf character
Margin
Entire
Pinnate venation leaf character
Venation
Pinnate

Characters marked “recorded” are for Reetha itself; the rest are typical of the Sapindaceae family.

Flower & fruit characters

Inflorescence
Panicle
Fruit
Capsule

Typical of the Sapindaceae family — flowering plants only; individual species can differ.

Local Names

Hindi
रीठा Reetha
Tamil
Ponnankottai, Manipungan maram, Poovandikottai
Telugu
Kukudu-kayalu, Kungititkaya, Kunkudu-chettu
Kannada
ಕೂಗಟೆ ಕಾಯಿ Koogate kayi, Kudale-kaye, Kukate-kayi
Malayalam
Chavakayimaram, Punnan-kotta, Urvanjik-kaya
Marathi
aritha, rimgi, rimthi

About Reetha

A member of the Sapindaceae family, Soapnut Tree (Sapindus emarginatus) is a tree. In India it has been recorded in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and 5 other states. It grows in dry deciduous forests and margins of grasslands. Flowering and fruiting run from February to December.

Illustration representing the Sapindaceae family
Botanical family

Sapindaceae

Soapberry/Lychee family

Reetha belongs to the Sapindaceae family.

The illustration represents the family — not necessarily this exact species.

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Common plant problems

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