Soaproot

Soap tree yucca (Yucca elata)

Description

Banana yucca (Yucca baccata)

The roots of the soap plant, Chlorogalum poleridianum, native to California and the Mexican amole plants, Yucca baccata, Yucca elata, and Yucca glauca. Soaproots and yuccas contain saponin which lathers like soap. They have been used since ancient times as a natural cleaner. The fibers from these plants have also been used for basket weaving.

Synonyms and Related Terms

soap root; soap plant; yucca; amole; banana yucca (Yucca baccata); soaptree yucca (Yucca elata); Great Plains yucca (Yucca glauca)

Resources and Citations

• G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 692

• Website: www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/dendrology/main.htm (accessed Oct. 3, 2005)

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yucca (accessed Oct. 3, 2005)