Sapindus saponaria Soapberry
DECIDUOUS TREE. A small, slender, graceful tree with delicate-looking
pinnate leaves. Leaflets long and narrow, sharp pointed, and often
curved or sickle-shaped. They turn bright yellow before falling in
November. Clusters of tiny white flowers appear at the ends of new growing
branches in May. Berries are round, wrinkled, transparent golden
yellow, often remaining on the tree until spring. Each berry has
a single round shiny black seed. Arizona trees are var. drummondii.
Trees may sprout from the roots and form small groves. Needs
riparian or semi-riparian environments. In the Empires, grows with
larger trees on small washes, and among rock outcrops in Davidson Canyon.
FAMILY: Sapindaceae (Soapberry Family)