What is "saponaria officinalis"

Fuller \Full"er\, n. [AS. fullere, fr. L. fullo. See Full, v. t.] One whose occupation is to full cloth.

Fuller's earth, a variety of clay, used in scouring and cleansing cloth, to imbibe grease.

Fuller's herb (Bot.), the soapwort ( Saponaria officinalis), formerly used to remove stains from cloth.

Fuller's thistle or Fuller's weed (Bot.), the teasel ( Dipsacus fullonum) whose burs are used by fullers in dressing cloth. See Teasel.

Bouncing \Boun"cing\, a.

1. Stout; plump and healthy; lusty; buxom.

   Many tall and bouncing young ladies.
   --Thackeray.

2. Excessive; big. ``A bouncing reckoning.''
   --B. & Fl.

   Bouncing Bet (Bot.), the common soapwort ( Saponaria officinalis).
   --Harper's Mag.

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.

Saponaria officinalis is a common perennial plant from the carnation family ( Caryophyllaceae). This plant has many common names, including common soapwort, bouncing-bet, crow soap, wild sweet William, and soapweed. There are about 20 species of soapworts altogether.

The scientific name Saponaria is derived from the Latin sapo (stem sapon-) meaning "soap," which, like its common name, refers to its utility in cleaning. From this same Latin word is derived the name of the toxic substance saponin, contained in the roots at levels up to 20 percent when the plant is flowering (Indian soapnuts contain only 15 percent). It produces a lather when in contact with water. The epithet officinalis indicates its medicinal functions.

Saponaria officinalis native range extends throughout Europe, and in Asia to western Siberia. It grows in cool places at low or moderate elevations under hedgerows and along the shoulders of roadways.