Quillaja saponaria

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Saponin \Sap"o*nin\, n. [L. sapo, -onis soap: cf. F. saponine.]
   (Chem.)
   A poisonous glucoside found in many plants, as in the root of
   soapwort ({Saponaria officinalis}), in the bark of soap bark
   ({Quillaja saponaria}), etc. It is extracted as a white
   amorphous powder, which produces a soapy lather in solution,
   and produces a local anaesthesia. It is used as a detergent
   and for emulsifying oils. Formerly called also {struthiin},
   {quillaiin}, {senegin}, {polygalic acid}, etc. By extension,
   any one of a group of related bodies of which saponin proper
   is the type.
   [1913 Webster + PJC]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Quillaia bark \Quil*la"ia bark`\ (Bot.)
   The bark of a rosaceous tree ({Quillaja Saponaria}), native
   of Chile. The bark is finely laminated, and very heavy with
   alkaline substances, and is used commonly by the Chileans
   instead of soap. Also called {soap bark}.
   [1913 Webster]