104 MISC. PUBLICATION 101, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
As a rule hopbush is wholly neglected by livestock, but sometimes 
isnibbled. It should be rather closely watched on the range in times 
of feed scarcity, as it is known to be used as a fish poison in the West 
Indies and to contain saponin (95). The leaves are reputed to pos- 
sess anaesthetic properties; the remarkably hard, attractively colored 
wood ignites readily and makes a good fuel. 
Western soapberry (Sapindus drummondi) (pl. 7, C), known 
also as Drummond soapberry (3), wild china-tree (alluding to its re- 
semblance to the cultivated and related chinaberry (Melia azeda- 
rach), Indian soap-plant, and jabonciilo, is a tree, normally 20 to 50 
feet high when mature but, when young, spreading and bushlike. 
Three Sapindi are ordinarily accredited to North America: S. drwim- 
mondi, S. margmatus, and S. saponaria. Rock (103) and a few other 
botanists prefer to regard this and many or all of the other (approx- 
imately nine) species of soapberry natives of the Tropics and Sub- 
tropics (and largely African), as variant states or forms of one 
polymorphic species, S. saponaria L. Western soapberry occurs 
from Missouri and Kansas south and west to Louisiana, Arizona, 
and Mexico, growing (frequently in limestone soils) along streams 
and in dry watercourses, on canyon slopes and foothills up to the 
woodland type, as a rule, however, not being found above about 
6,000 feet. 
The species is famous for its saponaceous berries, which are used 
locally for soap and contain 37 per cent of saponin (127). Pre- 
sumably these berries would prove poisonous if taken internally, 
although its African congeners are reputed to have edible fruits 
but poisonous seeds. 
The species is occasionally observed to be nibbled by cattle, but 
it is undecubtedly safest to regard it with some suspicion as browse. 
Soapberry wood splits easily along the rings and is in local demand 
for cotton baskets, pack saddles, and fuel. 
Mexican-buckeye (Ungnadia speciosa) (pl. 7, D), known also as 
monillo, Spanish buckeye, and New Mexican buckeye, is a mono- 
typic genus. It is usually a bush 4 to 8 feet high, but in favor- 
able situations may become a small tree. it ranges from western 
Texas, through southern New Mexico, into Mexico, occurring in the 
foothills and lower mountain slopes, between about 4,500 and 7,000 
feet, along streams, in arroyos and canyons, and on rocky declivities, 
often in calcareous soils, 
Livestock are not liable to browse this plant except in times of 
food scarcity, but it is strongly suspected to have caused occasional 
losses of cattle and goats in southern New Mexico. Greshott (95) 
and Lyons (78) report that it contains the toxic alkaloid saponin, 
and Havard (59) states that one or two of the seeds may be eaten 
by an adult without any effect, but that three or four will produce 
distress in the stomach and dizziness; they are known to have emetic 
properties. The species is occasionally cultivated as an ornamental 
shade tree. 
BUCKTHCRN FAMILY (RHAMNACEAE) 
SOAPBLOOMS, BLUEBRUSHES, HORNBRUSHES, ETC. (CEANOTHUS SPP.) 
Ceanothus is a large North American genus of about 55 or 60 
species, California, with at least 30 species, being the center of dis- 
re 
