Accession Count: 1
Common Name:
yellow sophora, yellow necklacepod
Family Name:
Fabaceae
Botanical Name:
Sophora tomentosa
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
’Truncata’
Characteristics:
Yellow sophora is a rounded evergreen shrub or upright tree, often 6-10ft tall and wide. The leaves of this species are pinnately compound and alternatively arranged. The leaflets of the plants are silvery green in color, elliptic to ovate in shape, densely stacked on the rachis and covered with tiny hairs when young but becoming glabrous with age. (1, 2) Blooms are irregularly shaped with a broad upper petal and two adjacent petals that collectively form a keel around a lower petal, called the banner (1,2). The overall corolla shape is boat-like. Each bright yellow flower is approximately 1” in diameter, which are borne on 4-10” terminal racemes (1). Following pollination, seed pods form. New seed pods are a pale yellow-green color and turn brown with age. The pods which can persist on the stems for many years, resemble a decorative beaded necklace, thus inspiring the common name.
Compound:
Sop tom
Geographic Origin:
Central to south Florida and southern Texas
Ecozone Origin:
Neotropic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
This species is native to central and southern Florida but is widely found in the dry tropical regions of the world including South-East Asia, Brazil and West Africa (8, 12). The species is usually found in sandy beach areas near oceans (1). The genus name comes from the Arabic word ṣufayrā, meaning “yellow” (2). The specific epithet tomentosa comes from the Latin word tomentosus, meaning “fuzzy” (2).
Cultivation Notes:
Yellow sophora is easily propagated from seed (2,11). It grows well in well-draining sandy soils and full sun (4,10). The species is a fast to moderately fast growing shrub, and needs very little water.The plant is cold hardy to 20 F but should be protected to avoid tip dieback at colder temperatures Minimal pruning to shape is acceptable but is generally not needed. (4,5) This low maintenance large shrub is a perfect addition to a landscape.
Ethnobotany:
Every part of yellow sophora has been used extensively by humans for both traditional medicines and construction materials. (5,6,7,9). Oil extracted from the seeds, while poisonous in high doses, has been used in lower doses as an expectorant (5). Native tribes of the Philippines have used it to soothe pains and as an external numbing agent (5,8). The most common use of this plant is for treatment of gastrointestinal diseases (7,5). Seeds pounded into a powder are used to treat gastrointestinal diseases like dysentery and colic (9), while smaller quantities of the seed powder are used to counter poisoning, such as fish stings and food poisoning. The lower dose of seed powder is used to treat hemoptysis, painful urination, and gonorrhea (6). This plant has also been used as a diuretic (9). A tea brewed from the root's bark or seeds has been used to treat cholera (6). Yellow sophora has also been used as a source of building materials. Its small, but hard and heavy branches are used to create smaller items such as tools (6).
Height:
6 - 10 feet
Width:
6 - 10 feet
Growth Rate:
Moderate Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
Yellow
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Toxic
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Low water Use
