Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree)

Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) with cream flower clusters covering the wide leafy tree canopy.
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) covered in small cream flowers along a paved sidewalk area.

Botanical names: Sophora japonica, Styphnolobium japonicum

Common names: Japanese Pagoda Tree, Scholar-tree

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Faboideae

Origin: China and Korea

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 4-8

Small tree 10-20 ftPlant used for bonsaiPlant form: Small tree; suitable for bonsai
Plant mature sizeMature height: 10-20 ft
Full sunSemi-shadeSun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor; semi-shade
Subtropical plant. Mature plant cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short timeCold tolerance: Tolerates light freezing to about 30°F for short periods (mature plants). Young plants must be protected.
Watering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryWatering: Moderate
White, off-white flowersFlower color: White and off-white
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Fragrant plantFragrance: Fragrant; perfume plant
Plant attracts butterflies, hummingbirdsWildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
Ethnomedical plant. Plants marked as ethnomedical and/or described as medicinal, are not offered as medicine but rather as ornamentals or plant collectibles. Ethnomedical statements / products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We urge all customers to consult a physician before using any supplements, herbals or medicines advertised here or elsewhere.Ethnomedical: Ethnomedical plant, traditionally used in folk or indigenous medicine

It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil and can tolerate drought. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.

This species is commonly used in Chinese medicine and is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs. The flowers and flower buds are antibacterial, anticholesterolemic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, haemostatic and hypotensive. The leaves are a rich source of rutin, they contain much more than the usual commercial source, buckwheat. The plant contains cytosine, which resembles nicotine and is similarly toxic.

Similar plants: Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree)


Image gallery: 18 images
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) with cream flower cluster, close up with honey bee.
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) cream flower cluster with a visiting bee gathering nectar.
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) green leaves cascade down from a rounded weeping tree
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) with dense, weeping foliage cascading down a rounded tree crown
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) with green foliage and small cream flowers on tree.
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) with dense green canopy and clusters of pale flower spikes.
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) green tree with white flowers near a wall
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) tall tree with white flowers standing near a stone building
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) with brown bark and green leaves on large tree branches.
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) trunk with textured brown bark and dense green leaves above.
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) with dense green leaves, close up of plant foliage.
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) with abundant green leaves covering the plant surface.
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) green leaves on arching woody plant branches close up
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) with arching stems covered in small oval shaped green foliage
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) stands as a wide green tree with dense spreading branches
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) with a thick trunk surrounded by a small wooden fence.
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) white flower close up with bee on soft petal
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) white flower attracting a honey bee in a close up
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) with cream white flower clusters in a close up
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) clusters of cream white flower petals and small green buds.
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) with green leaves and tan hanging fruit on tree
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) branches carrying green foliage and many tan hanging seed pods
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) with small white flowers and many green flower buds plant
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) branches covered in tiny white flowers and numerous green round buds.
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) white flower clusters among thick green leaves on tree
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) branches full of small white flowers and many green leaves.
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) with dark green pinnate leaves hanging on a tree branch
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) with long thin branches and numerous small oval green leaves.
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) with cream yellow flowers on a branch close up
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) branches covered in tiny cream yellow flowers against clear blue sky
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) with off-white flower buds and green stems in close up
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) off-white flower buds hanging from small green stems along a road
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) with cream flower clusters on a green branch close up
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) with small cream flower clusters and green buds on a branch.
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) green leaves on thick brown branches reaching toward the sky
Sophora japonica (Japanese Pagoda Tree) with expansive green foliage spreading across heavy textured wooden branches


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/sophora_japonica.htm
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