Its leaves are used for cleansing

• Plant of European origin having pink or white flowers and leaves yielding a detergent when bruised

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Soapwort \Soap"wort`\, n. (Bot.) A common plant ( Saponaria officinalis ) of the Pink family; -- so called because its bruised leaves, when agitated in water, produce a lather like that from soap. Called also Bouncing Bet .

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. Any perennial herb of the genus (taxlink Saponaria genus noshow=1).

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. plant of European origin having pink or white flowers and leaves yielding a detergent when bruised [syn: hedge pink , bouncing Bet , bouncing Bess , Saponaria officinalis ]