Botanical name:

Sophora longicarinata

Common name(s):

Kowhai, limestone kōwhai

About:

This graceful weeping native tree is known for its fine, dainty foliage and striking greenish-yellow flowers that capture attention. The beautiful flowers and sweet nectar produced from September through November are especially attractive to a variety of bird species, making this tree a delightful addition to any garden. While it bears some resemblance to Sophora microphylla, this tree can be distinguished by its longer leaves, very small leaflets, and larger, paler yellow flowers that add character and charm to its appearance.

Natural habitat:

Lowland to montane. A plant growing confined to base-rich soils derived from marble and limestone parent materials. It grows on ledges and in crevices on limestone and marble outcrops, among boulders, rock debris, and rubble surrounding these outcrops, in gullies with deeper soils, and on alluvium over-lying marble rock.

Growing environment:

Sun, Drought & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s South Island front the Takaka hill and immediate environs, Arthur Range and western Malrborough

Height: 20m

Flowering: 

October - January with a yellow coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

December - November with a dry brown pea like seed pod.

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food, Riparian plantings & Flowers.

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed, provided the hard seed shell is nicked first with a knife or rubbed with sandpaper to expose the endosperm. Soaking seed treated this way overnight often helps speed up germination. Can be grown with difficulty from cuttings.

** Seed requires scarification before sowing. Mechanical scarification works best for this species. Reasonable results can also be achieved with hot water treatment.