Caryophyllaceae

Saponaria officinalis

Bouncing Bet

Erect, hairless. Stems unbranched on lower section, branched inflorescence. Leaves egg-shaped, 1–4 in. long, with short petioles or sessile. Flowers on erect stalks in dense clusters of 20–40, topping stems. Flowers have 5 fused sepals; petals 5, pale to bright pink, 1–2 in. long, egg-shaped, notched at tip. Grows in edges of streams, roads, disturbed areas, below 3000 ft. Native of Europe. Saponaria is Latin for "soap," referring to the sap, which lathers with water.

• Rarity: Locally Common
• Flowering Time: Early Summer
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: 1--3 feet
• Habitat: Coastal, Disturbed
• Found In: Olympic Np, West Gorge, East Gorge, N Cascades Np
• Native: Yes