Quillaja | |
---|---|
Quillaja saponaria | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Quillajaceae |
Genus: | Quillaja Molina |
Species | |
See text | |
Distribution of the Quillajaceae | |
Synonyms | |
Fontenellea A.St.-Hil. & Tul. |
Quillaja is a genus of flowering plants, the only extant genus in the family Quillajaceae with two or three known species.[1] It was once thought to be in the rose family, Rosaceae,[2] but recent research shows it belongs in its own family. The inner bark of the soap bark tree (Q. saponaria) contains saponin, which is a natural soap. Members of this genus are trees that grow to about 25 metres (82 ft).