Kowhai Tree
Kowhai flowers
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Faboideae
Genus:	Sophora
Species
S. chathamica S. fulvida S. godleyi S. longicarinata S. microphylla S. molloyi S. prostrata S. tetraptera

Kowhai are small, woody legume trees in the genus Sophora native to New Zealand. There are eight species, S. microphylla being the most common.

Kowhai trees grow throughout the country and are a common feature in New Zealand gardens. Outside of New Zealand, Kowhais tend to be restricted to mild temperate maritime climates.

[edit] Description and ecology

Most species of Kowhai grow to around 8 m high and have fairly smooth bark with small leaves. Sophora microphylla has smaller leaves (5-7 mm long by 3-4 mm wide) and flowers (2.5-3.5 cm long) than S. tetraptera which has leaves of 1-2 cm long and flowers that are 3 cm-5 cm long.

The very distinctive, almost segmented pods, which appear after flowering each contain six or more smooth, hard, yellow seeds. These seeds can be very numerous and the presence of many hundreds of these distinctively yellow seeds on the ground quickly identifies the presence of a nearby Kowhai tree. Many other Kowhai trees lose most of their leaves immediately after flowering in October or November but quickly produce new leaves.

Sophora is one of the four genera of native legumes in New Zealand; the other three are Carmichaelia, Clianthus, and Montigena.

[edit] Uses

Sophora prostrata, sometimes called "Little Baby", is used as a Bonsai tree. It grows up to 2 metres high, has zigzaging stems, and sparse smallish leaves. ^[1]

The Kowhai is commonly believed to be the national flower of New Zealand, this is incorrect; New Zealand does not have a national flower.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Cultivation

Kowhai tree in full bloom, before foliage has emerged

Kowhai can be grown from seed or tip cuttings in spring and autumn (fall). ^[2]

The hard, dark or bright yellow seeds germinate best after chitting and being soaked in water for several hours. They can also benefit from a several minute submersion in boiling water to soften the hard shell and then being kept in the same water, taken off boil, for several hours to soak up the water. ^[3]

Young Kowhais are quite frost tender, so cuttings or seedlings should be planted in their second year when they are 30 cm or higher. ^[4]

[edit] Etymology

Kowhai drawing

Kōwhai is the Maori word for yellow, which in turn gives the tree the name due to the colour of the flowers^{[citation needed]}.

[edit] Traditional medicinal use

The Maori uses for Kowhai: All parts of kowhai tree were used as traditional medicine^{[citation needed]}. There are toxic alkoloids in the tree so careful preparation of the medicine must be observed and normal experiments are not recommended. Infused bark is drunk for internal ailment and treating cuts, bruises and swelling^{[citation needed]}. Colds and sore throats were also cured by drinking the infused bark solution^{[citation needed]}. Boiled and crushed bark is useful for sprains, alleviating broken limbs, bruises, infected skin, wounds and skin diseases.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Dangers

The Kowhai's bark and seeds, are poisonous.^[5]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• TSN 26957. Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
• The Current Taxonomy of New Zealand Legumes
• Kowhai photos
• Sophora – "The Kowhais of New Zealand" by Denis Hughes, IPPS Proceedings Volume 52, 2002, retrieved July 1, 2006