[2] Sapindus is a genus of about thirteen species of shrubs and small trees in the lychee family, Sapindaceae and tribe Sapindeae.

The fruit is a small leathery-skinned drupe 1–2 cm (0.39–0.79 in) in diameter, yellow ripening blackish, containing one to three seeds.

The drupes (soapnuts) contain saponins, which have surfactant properties, being used for washing by ancient Asian and American peoples.

Kernel extracts of soapnut disrupt the activity of enzymes of larvae and pupae and inhibit the growth of the mosquito Aedes aegypti, an important vector of viral diseases.

[9] Soapnut is used as a scouring agent for preparation of coloring fibers such as the yarn of Tussar silk and cotton.