Kowhai News Watch

Closer attention to how kowhai varies in different environments has led to recognition (in 2001) of eight species of Sophora (the kowhai genus) in New Zealand.

The New Zealand species now recognised are: Sophora microphylla, S. tetraptera, S. prostrata, S. longicarinata, S. godleyi, S. molloyi, S. fulvida, and S. chathamica.

Before this revision of the genus in New Zealand, the total number of species recognised internationally was just 45 (Mabberley 1997). The genus Sophora belongs to the pea family and is widely distributed in temperate and tropical regions of the world. See: Mabberley, D. J. (1997) The Plant-Book: A Portable Dictionary of the Vascular Plants. Cambrdige University Press.

Planting kowhais BestGardening.com (source of this image) recommends the kowhai for attracting birds (but you may want to choose your plants carefully - see report of new species, above). Also available in New Zealand as an ornamental is Sophora japonica, the so-called Japanese Pagoda Tree (see more below).

Sophora japonica This eastern Asian species of Sophora is growing in the Botanical Garden at the University of Leipzig, Germany. Visitors to the botanical website are invited to visit the actual garden. Click on title above to visit the Leipzig website (in German).

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Unless otherwise indicated, all texts and photos are by Peter Matthews (PJM) and are copyright of The Research Cooperative (2003-). Original material may be copied for personal reference or educational purposes. For any enquiries related to this website, please contact Peter Matthews (info@kowhai.net). Thank you.