What unique substance found in the white flowers of Ceanothus americanus allows them to function as a fragrant soap?
Answer
The white flowers are rich in saponins, which create an effective, gentle lather when crushed and mixed with water.
The practical, non-ingestible use of the white flowers of *Ceanothus americanus* relies on a specific chemical compound they contain: saponins. Saponins are natural surfactants; when the blossoms are simply crushed and combined with water, these compounds lower the surface tension of the water, resulting in the formation of a lather. This lathering property historically made the flowers highly valuable for use as a body wash, including a fragrant wash often noted for women preparing for marriage, and for general clothing cleaning.
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