Reetha, Chinese soapberry, North Indian soapnut, Washing nuts


Scientific Name

Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn.


Other Names

Rittha


Life Form

Tree


Family

Sapindaceae



Rittha
Image by - Saroj Kasaju
Usages

Medicine- Regarded as a cure for epilepsy in northern India. Cosmetic- Fruits is used as soap to wash hair and control head lice. Wood - Fuelwood: Wood used for fuel and to make charcoal. Wood - Construction: wood moderately hard, compact, and close-grained used for making furniture, sawing boards, plywood, and boards.


Native to

Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal


Habitat

Subtropical biome.


Conservation Status

Not evaluated



Plant Description

Deciduous tree 25m tall

Long stalked odd pinnate, leaf spine

Flowers are small greenish white, and fragrant

Fruit appears in July-August and ripens by November-December, solitary, round nuts 2-2.5 cm diameter, fleshy, yellowish brown in color


Phenology

Flowering