Sophora sp.

The Kowhai flower is national flower of New Zealand. Kowhai - 3 Genuses: Sophora tetraptera, Sophora microphylla, Sophora prostrata.

The Kowhai is a spectacular tree in spring when, almost leafless, it bursts into bright yellow flower.

Cultivation: Plant in a well-drained, reasonable soil. Wet feet will mean a disappointing or dead plant. A tangled juvenile plant it will grow to 5-7m. Water if very dry, especially when young.

Propagation: Seed or cuttings. Their seeds are resistant to saltwater, and are believed to have floated around the southern oceans, with limited evolution taking place after establishing in new lands.

Similar plants:

• Ormosia monosperma, Sophora monosperma (Necklace Tree, Bead Tree)
• Sophora japonica, Styphnolobium japonicum (Japanese Pagoda Tree, Scholar-tree)
• Sophora secundiflora (Texas Mountain-Laurel)
• Sophora tomentosa (Yellow Necklace Pod, Silverbush)