Sophora cassioides
Common names
Chilean pelu
Biostatus
Exotic
Conservation status
Not applicable
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
Flower colours
Yellow
Similar taxa
Sophora chathamica and S. microphylla. Chilean Pelu (S. cassioides) is often sold by nurseries as Sophora microphylla cv. Goldilocks. It can be recognised by its dark, glossy green, round leaflets which are evenly spaced at the base and become overlapping toward the apex of the leaf, and also by its smaller flowers, which open very widely.
Detailed taxonomy
Genus
Family
Endemic genus
No
Endemic family
No
Ecology
Year naturalised
2004
Origin
South America (Chile), Gough Island. Until recently this species was referred to S. microphylla, a species to which it is certainly allied but nevertheless easily distinguished.
Reason for introduction
Horticultural
Tolerances
Very cold and wind tolerant. Can tolerate drought and other extremes of weather.
Life cycle and dispersal
A slow growing tree. Reproduces by seed which is dispersed by wind and gravity.
Other information
Etymology
sophora: After the Arabic name for a similar tree