Sophora howinsula
Common name
Lord Howe kōwhai
Family
Fabaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Trees & Shrubs - Dicotyledons
Flower colours
Yellow
Life cycle
Long lived shrub or small tree; reproduces exclusively by seed. Seeds are abundantly produced, hard-shelled. A long-lived seed-bank is formed. Dispersal is by water, gravity and careless disposal of fruiting material
Year naturalised
2007
Origin
Lord Howe Island - this species has long been grown in New Zealand under the name S. tetraptera ”Otari Gnome”
Reason for introduction
Ornamental
Tolerances
Moderately hardy
Etymology
sophora: After the Arabic name for a similar tree