Flower ID: IMG_4236.JPG-07-04-2020 Flower name (scientific): Saponaria officinalis Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) sap-oh-NAIR-ee-ah oh-fiss-ih-NAH-liss Flower name (common): Bouncing Bet Family name (common): Pink Family name (scientific): Caryophyllaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Latin sapo, for soap. Refers to the soap-like lather produced when the sap is mixed with water. Specific epithet: Sold based on its real or its conjectured medical qualities. Common name origin: Possbily a shortened form of Bouncing Betty. There are associations of the name with washer women using the plant as a soap, barmaids cleaning ale bottles using the plant, and probably others. Flower description: Size: 0.7 to 1.0 inches (1.8 to 2.5 cm) Petal count: 5 is typical, up to 7. A double flower form with many petals also occurs. Color: white or pink Other: flower arrangement, Cluster-spherical Plant description: Size: 12 to 36 inches (30 to 91 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is opposite, type is simple Size: Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, elliptic to oblanceolate or ovate (FNA). Shape: leaf, elliptic to oblanceolate or ovate (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Invasive Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): July to October Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Fields, woodland edges, disturbed areas, roadsides, streambanks, sun or semi-shade. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): No close lookalikes. Ethnobotany: No recorded uses by tribes from Wisconsin. The Cherokee used the plant to treat boils. The Cherokee and the Mahuna utilized the plant to prepare soap (Moerman, p. 518, 1998). Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washburn, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (AB, BC, MB, NB, NF, NS, ON, PE, QC, SK) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na Wetland Status (NC): FACU Wetland Status (MW): FACU