Sophora L.

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Sophora:

Sophora is a genus of about 45 species of small trees and shrubs in the pea family Fabaceae. The species are native to southeast Europe, southern Asia, Australasia, various Pacific islands, western South America, the western United States,[4] Florida[5] and Puerto Rico. The generic name is derived from sophera, an Arabic name for a pea-flowered tree.[6]

The genus formerly had a broader interpretation including many other species now treated in other genera, notably Styphnolobium (pagoda tree genus), which differs in lacking nitrogen fixing bacteria (rhizobia) on the roots, and Dermatophyllum (the mescalbeans). Styphnolobium has galactomannans as seed polysaccharide reserve, in contrast Sophora contains arabinogalactans, and Dermatophyllum amyloid.

The New Zealand Sophora species are known as Kowhai.[7]

The Toromiro (Sophora toromiro) was formerly a common tree in the forests of Easter Island. The tree fell victim to the deforestation that eliminated the island's forests by the 18th century, and later became extinct in the wild. The tree is being reintroduced to the island in a scientific project partly led jointly by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Göteborg Botanical Garden, where the only remaining plants of this species with a documented origin were propagated in the 1960s from seeds collected by Thor Heyerdahl.

Mayo or Mayú (Sophora macrocarpa) is a small tree that inhabits the Chilean Matorral.



Species[edit]

Sophora comprises the following species:[7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]

Species names with uncertain taxonomic status[edit]

The status of the following species is unresolved:[14]

  • Sophora albicans J.St.-Hil.
  • Sophora ambigua P.C.Tsoong
  • Sophora angulata (Hook. & Arn.) Ravenna
  • Sophora angustifoliola Q.Q.Liu & H.Y.Ye
  • Sophora biflora Houtt.
  • Sophora biflora Retz.
  • Sophora buxifolia Retz.
  • Sophora chathamica Cockayne
  • Sophora coerulea Moench
  • Sophora cuneifolia Steud.
  • Sophora davidii (Franch.) Skeels
  • Sophora donihuensis Ravenna
  • Sophora fulvida (Allan) Heenan & de Lange
  • Sophora genistaefolia Salisb.
  • Sophora genistoides L.
  • Sophora glabra Moench
  • Sophora glabra Hassk.
  • Sophora godleyi Heenan & de Lange
  • Sophora grandiflora (Salisb.) Skottsb.
  • Sophora grisea O.Deg. & Sherff
  • Sophora hirsuta Aiton
  • Sophora houghiana Wall.
  • Sophora howinsula (W.R.B. Oliv.) P. Green
  • Sophora jabandas Montrouz.
  • Sophora juncea Schrad.
  • Sophora ludovice-Adecim-Asexta Buc'hoz
  • Sophora mangarevaensis H.St.John
  • Sophora mecosperma J.St.-Hil.
  • Sophora molloyi Heenan & de Lange
  • Sophora molokaiensis O. Degener & I. Degener
  • Sophora mutabilis Salisb.
  • Sophora myrtillifolia Retz.
  • Sophora oblongata P.C.Tsoong
  • Sophora oblongifolia Ruiz & Pav.
  • Sophora oligophylla Baker
  • Sophora pendula Spach
  • Sophora pentaphylla Desv.
  • Sophora persica (Boiss. & Buhse) Rech.f.
  • Sophora praetorulosa Chun & T.C. Chen
  • Sophora raivavaeensis H.St.John
  • Sophora rapaensis H.St.John
  • Sophora robinoides Walp.
  • Sophora senegalensis Deless. ex DC.
  • Sophora sibirica Holub
  • Sophora sinica Rosier
  • Sophora sinuata Larrañaga
  • Sophora sororia Hance
  • Sophora sumatrana Yakovlev
  • Sophora sylvatica Burch.
  • Sophora tetraptera J. Miller
  • Sophora tiloebsis Blume ex Miq.
  • Sophora tiloensis Blume ex Miq.
  • Sophora trifolia Steud.
  • Sophora triphylla Sweet
  • Sophora vanioti H. Lév.
  • Sophora vestita Nakai
  • Sophora viciifolis Hance

References[edit]

  1. ^ Cardoso D, Pennington RT, de Queiroz LP, Boatwright JS, Van Wyk B-E, Wojciechowski MF, Lavin M. (2013). "Reconstructing the deep-branching relationships of the papilionoid legumes". S Afr J Bot 89: 58–75. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2013.05.001. 
  2. ^ "Sophora L.". TROPICOS. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 2010-01-28. 
  3. ^ "Genus: Sophora L.". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2006-11-03. Retrieved 2009-11-23. 
  4. ^ "PLANTS Profile Sophora nuttalliana B.L. Turner silky sophora". USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  5. ^ "PLANTS Profile Sophora tomentosa L.yellow necklacepod". USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2011-03-20. 
  6. ^ Gledhill, D. (2008). The Names of Plants (4 ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 356. ISBN 978-0-521-86645-3. 
  7. ^ a b Heenan PB, de Lange PJ, Wilton AD. (2001). "Sophora (Fabaceae) in New Zealand: taxonomy, distribution, and biogeography". New Zealand J Bot 39 (1): 17–53. doi:10.1080/0028825X.2001.9512715. 
  8. ^ Tsoong P-C, Ma C-Y. (1981). "A study on the genus Sophora Linn.". Acta Phytotaxon Sin 19 (1): 1–22. 
  9. ^ Tsoong P-C, Ma C-Y. (1981). "A study on the genus Sophora Linn. (Cont.)". Acta Phytotaxon Sin 19 (2): 143–167. 
  10. ^ Hurr KA, Lockhart PJ, Heenan PB, Penny D. (1999). "Evidence for the recent dispersal of Sophora (Leguminosae) around the Southern Oceans: molecular data". J Biogeog 26 (3): 565–577. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2699.1999.00302.x. JSTOR 2656144. 
  11. ^ Michell AB, Heenan PB. (2002). "Sophora sect. Edwardsia (Fabaceae): further evidence from nrDNA sequence data of a recent and rapid radiation around the Southern Oceans". Bot J Linn Soc 140 (4): 435–441. doi:10.1046/j.1095-8339.2002.00101.x. 
  12. ^ "ILDIS LegumeWeb entry for Sophora". International Legume Database & Information Service. Cardiff School of Computer Science & Informatics. Retrieved 18 May 2014. 
  13. ^ USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. "GRIN species records of Sophora". Germplasm Resources Information Network—(GRIN) [Online Database]. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Retrieved 18 May 2014. 
  14. ^ a b "The Plant List entry for Sophora". The Plant List. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Missouri Botanical Garden. 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2014. 
  15. ^ Heenan PB. (2001). "The correct name for Chilean pelú (Fabaceae): the identity of Edwardsia macnabiana and the reinstatement of Sophora cassioides". New Zealand J Bot 39 (1): 167–170. doi:10.1080/0028825X.2001.9512725. 
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Sourcehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sophora&oldid=649726804

Kowhai:

Kowhai flowers

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, Kowhai tend to be restricted to mild temperate maritime climates. Species in this group include S. chathamica, S. fulvida, S. godleyi, S. longicarinata, S. microphylla, S. molloyi, S. prostrata, and S. tetraptera.[1][2]

Despite having no official status as such,[3] the blooms of the kowhai are widely regarded as being New Zealand's national flower.[4]

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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. Flowering of Kowhai is staggered from July through to November, meaning each tree will get attention from birds.[5]

Sophora is one of the four genera of native legumes in New Zealand; the other three are Carmichaelia, Clianthus, and Montigena.[2].

Cultivation


Kowhai tree in full bloom, before foliage has emerged

Kowhai can be grown from seed or tip cuttings in spring and autumn.[6] 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.[7] Young Kowhai are quite frost tender, so cuttings or seedlings should be planted in their second year when they are 30 cm or higher.[8]

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 [9].

Dangers

All parts of the Kowhai are poisonous. [10]

Māori medicinal use

In traditional times, Māori used the Kowhai tree as medicine. The bark was heated in a calabash with hot stones, and made into a poultice to treat wounds or rubbed on a sore back[11] or made into an infusion to treat bruising or muscular pains.[12] If someone was bitten by a seal, an infusion (wai kōwhai) was prepared from Kowhai and applied to the wounds and the patient was said to recover within days.[11]

References

  1. ^ "Sophora". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=26957. 
  2. ^ a b The Current Taxonomy of New Zealand Legumes
  3. ^ "Nationhood and identity", in Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
  4. ^ "Kowhai" in New Zealand A to Z.
  5. ^ Kirsten L. Campbell (2006). "A study of home ranges, movements, diet and habitat use of kereru (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) in the southeastern sector of Banks Peninsula, New Zealand". Lincoln University. http://researcharchive.lincoln.ac.nz/dspace/bitstream/10182/347/7/campbell_msc.pdf.txt. 
  6. ^ "Native Plants at Piha". http://www.piha.co.nz/natives.htm#kowhai. Retrieved 2009-01-17. 
  7. ^ http://www.hbrc.govt.nz/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=agysH%2BBO92c%3D&tabid=244&mid=1231 Raising Native Plants From Seed
  8. ^ "Trees for Survival". http://www.tfsnz.org.nzresources.cfm#kowhai. Retrieved 2009-01-17. 
  9. ^ "Sophora—The Kowhais of New Zealand". http://www.ipps.org/Papers/NewZealand%5CHughes.PDF. Retrieved 2008-11-05. 
  10. ^ "Poisonous Plants at the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture". http://www.rnzih.org.nz/pages/poison.html. Retrieved 2008-05-20. 
  11. ^ a b Jones, Rhys (2 March 2009). "Rongoā – medicinal use of plants - Other medicinal plants". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/rongoa-medicinal-use-of-plants/4. Retrieved 8 November 2010. 
  12. ^ Durie, Sir Mason (2010). "Te whakahaumanutanga me te oranga hinengaro o mua – Ka mātaia ngā huanga o te rongoā - Traditional healing and mental health: measuring the effectiveness of rongoā". Best Practice Journal (Best Practice Advocacy Centre) June (28): 5–7. http://www.bpac.org.nz/magazine/2010/june/docs/BPJ_28_rongoa_pages5-7.pdf. 
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Sourcehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kowhai&oldid=410141700

National Distribution:
United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

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Sourcehttp://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Sophora+leachiana

Global Range: Endemic to Josephine County, Oregon.

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Physical Description:

Perennial, Herbs, Stems woody below, or from woody crown or caudex, Plants with rhizomes or suckers, Nodules present, Stems erect or ascending, Stems greater than 2 m tall, Stems solid, Stems or young twigs sparsely to densely hairy, Leaves alternate, Leaves petiolate, Stipules conspicuous, Stipules green, triangulate to lanceolate or foliaceous, Stipules free, Stipules clasping stem at the base, Leaves compound, Leaves odd pinnate, Leaf or leaflet margins entire, Leaflets opposite, Leaflets alternate or subopposite, Leaflets 10-many, Leaves hairy on one or both surfaces, Inflorescences racemes, Inflorescence terminal, Bracts very small, absent or caducous, Bracteoles present, Flowers zygomorphic, Calyx 5-lobed, Calyx gibbous, inflated, or spurred, Caly x hairy, Petals separate, Corolla papilionaceous, Petals clawed, Petals white, Petals ochroleucous, cream colored, Petals orange or yellow, Banner petal ovoid or obovate, Banner petal suborbicular, broadly rounded, Wing petals narrow, oblanceolate to oblong, Wing tips obtuse or rounded, Keel tips obtuse or rounded, not beaked, Stamens 9-10, Stamens completely free, separate, Filaments glabrous, Style terete, Style with distal tuft of hairs, Fruit a legume, Fruit stipitate, Fruit unilocular, Fruit tardily or weakly dehiscent, Fruit indehiscent, Fruit elongate, straight, Fruit oblong or ellipsoidal, Fruit exserted from calyx, Fruit compressed between seeds, Fruit torulose or moniliform, strongly constricted between seeds, Fruit beaked, Fruit glabrous or glabrate, Fruit hairy, Fruit 3-10 seeded, Seeds ovoid to rounded in outline, Seed surface smooth, Seeds olive, brown, or black.

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Rights holder/AuthorCompiled from several sources by Dr. David Bogler, Missouri Botanical Garden in collaboration with the USDA NRCS NPDC
Sourcehttp://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SOLE3

Comments: Restricted to open, disturbed sites (often found in clear cuts) within mixed evergreen-oak woodlands. Usually found at lower elevations, on south or west facing slopes near creeks or other perennial drainages. Often on serpentine substrates.

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Number of Occurrences:

Note: For many non-migratory species, occurrences are roughly equivalent to populations.

Estimated Number of Occurrences: 21 - 80

Comments: Approximately 60 occurrences observed since 1981 of which 5 have poor viability.

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National NatureServe Conservation Status:
United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N2 - Imperiled

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Rights holder/AuthorMaybury, K. (reviewed by J. Kagan), rev. A. Olivero (2003), NatureServe
Sourcehttp://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Sophora+leachiana

NatureServe Conservation Status:

Rounded Global Status Rank: G2 - Imperiled

Reasons: Endemic to Josephine County, Oregon. Although this species is a vigorous vegetative colonizer of disturbed sites, it produces very few viable seeds, and so is unlikely to spread beyond the small area it now occupies. The vegetatively reproducing colonies are particularly vulnerable to herbicides and to physical disturbance during logging or construction activities.

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Rights holder/AuthorMaybury, K. (reviewed by J. Kagan), rev. A. Olivero (2003), NatureServe
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Comments: Threatened by disturbance due to logging, herbicide spraying, mining, and construction activities (Meinke 1982).

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Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith