Noltea is a monotypic genus of flowering plants. The single species, Noltea africana (commonly known as the soap bush or soap dogwood), is a small, bushy tree of about 4 metres that is endemic to the southern Cape of South Africa, where it grows beside rivers and in pockets of afro-montane forest. It has small, white, mildly fragrant flowers and when it grows larger it assumes a willow shape, with slightly weeping branches. The leaves are long and serrated and the young growth is purple in colour. The foliage of the “soap bush” can be used to produce a soapy lather for cleaning, and this tree also conveniently tends to grow near lakes and rivers.

Very hardy, evergreen, very fast growing, small tree up to 4m with simple glossy, leaves and purple stems. The flowers are small, white sprays in the axils of the leaves and borne in spring. A decorative tree that is ideal for the smaller garden but should be kept as a single stem. Grows well in sun and semi-shade. When twigs and leaves are rubbed in water it becomes soapy. It is traditionally used as soap to do laundry!