Bouncing Bet

(Saponaria officinalis)

 

Color Photograph: Copyright Nearctica.com, Inc.

Line Drawing: Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada, Second Edition.

 

Bouncing Bet (Saponaria officinalis)

Alien: Native of Europe.

Identification: Flowers pink to white. Petals triangular with apical indentations, and commonly hanging downward (reflexed). Flower capsule elongate, narrowing toward its apex. Flowers in an apical cluster and also arising along from the leaf axils. Stem smooth. Leaves smooth, oblong, with even outer margins, and sessile to the stem. Plant 1 to 2 feet in height.

Distribution: Throughout North America.

Habitat: Bouncing Bet is found in a variety of disturbed habitats such as roadsides, fields, lake and pond shore, and empty lots.

Flowering period: July to September.

Bouncing Bet (Saponaria officinalis)

Similar Species:

The pink to white flowers with their reflexed petals will easily identify Bouncing Bet.

Similar Species

No Similar Species