Bouncingbet

Bouncingbet flower.
Bouncingbet plants alongside sidewalk.

Bouncingbet

Saponaria officinalis

Information Sheet (PDF)

Eradication Zone Map (pdf)


Colorado List B - Control required in Jefferson County

General

  • Common names: Soapwort, Sweet William
  • Family:  Pink (Caryophyllaceae)
  • Introduced from Europe as an ornamental


Habitat

  • Colony forming
  • Found in wet areas, roadsides, disturbed areas
  • Perennial forb


Plant


Vegetation

  • Leaves one half to 1 inch wide and 2 to 4 inches long. Opposite with 3 veins from base
  • Plant to 3 feet tall


Roots

  • Rhizome
  • Spreading


Flower

  • one half to 1 inch wide
  • 5 petals, slightly notched
  • Dense groups at end of branches
  • July to September
  • White to pink


Seed

  • Many


Seedling

  • Late spring


Reproduction

  • Seed
  • Rhizomes


Control


Biological

  • None


Chemical


Cultural

  • Prevention - maintain health of site
  • Removal - bag and dispose of plants if seeds have started to develop


Mechanical

  • Burning - N/A
  • Grazing - N/A - This plant is poisonous
  • Mowing - Young plants prior to flower formation


Use all chemicals according to the manufacturer’s label. No specific recommendation or endorsement is made or implied by listing methods or products.

Treatment Timeline

 


JanFebMarAprMayJuneJulyAugSeptOctNovDec
Control











Removal


Remove all parts including roots

Herbicide











Growth











Vegetative











Flowering











Seed