Bouncingbet is an escaped ornamental that can be found along roadsides,
meadows, and waste areas. Originally from Europe, Bouncingbet is a perennial
that grows 1 to 3 feet tall with pink to white flowers arranged in clusters
at the ends of the main stem and branches. Each flower has 5 to 6 petals
with a notch at the tip. Leaves have three distinct veins from the base,
are smooth, and grow opposite eachother along the jointed, hairless
stems.
Bouncingbet is toxic to grazing animals. It spreads rapidly and replaces
plants of greater value. Bouncingbet was used as a soap substitute in
Europe in the early 20th century, a lather can be made by crushing the
leaves and mixing them with water.
