Soapberry is a 1-2 m (3-6.5 ft) tall shrub with deciduous, oval leaves. The flowers are yellowish-brown and inconspicuous, and produce bright red berries. This species occurs in dry to moist open wood and thickets from low to middle elevations. On the coast, it is commonest along the extreme southeastern part of Vancouver lsland. Soapberries contain natural detergent-like substances (saponins), which make them soapy and bitter. Because of this, they can be whipped into a frothy mass, something like whipped cream.
Soapberries may be gathered on southern Vancouver Island or obtained through trade then whipped with sugar and eaten.
