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Sophora - (Franch.)Skeels.

Common Name Sophora
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 5-8
Known Hazards The plant contains cytosine, which resembles nicotine and is similarly toxic[238].
Habitats Dry rocky places and arid valleys, often covering large areas[109].
Range E. Asia - China in W. Hubei, W. Sichuan and Yunnan.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Sophora Sophora


http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benutzer:Michael_w
Sophora Sophora
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Cillas

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Blue, Lavender, White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Rounded, Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Sophora is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2.5 m (8ft) by 2.5 m (8ft) at a slow rate. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

S. viciifolia. Hance. non Salisb.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Flowers[177, 183]. No further details are given.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Specimen. Succeeds in a sunny position in most dry or moist well-drained soils[184]. Requires a good loamy soil[11]. Grows well on chalk[184]. It grows best in the warmer areas of the country where the wood will be more readily ripened and better able to withstand winter cold[219]. Hardy to about -20°c but requires the extra warmth of a wall if it is to flower well[184]. However, a free-standing shrub at Kew is growing very well[184]. A very ornamental plant[1]. Plants should be container-grown and planted out whilst young, older plants do not transplant well[219]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. Special Features: Not North American native, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse[200]. Pre-soak stored seed for 12 hours in hot (not boiling) water and sow in late winter in a greenhouse[78]. Prick out the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle into individual pots in the greenhouse, and grow them on for 2 years under protected conditions. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer of their third year. Cuttings of young shoots with a heel, July/August in a frame[11]. Air-layering[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Gansu Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Guizhou Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Xizang Zizhiqu, Yunnan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Acacia sophoraeCoastal Wattle, AcaciaShrub0.0 0-0  LMHNDM203
Sophora davidiiSophoraShrub2.5 5-8 SLMHNDM10 
Sophora flavescensKu Shen, Shrubby sophoraShrub1.5 5-9 SLMHNM032
Sophora japonicaJapanese Pagoda Tree, Scholar TreeTree20.0 4-9 FLMHNM232
Sophora mollis Shrub2.0 7-10  LMHNDM102
Sophora moorcroftiana Shrub1.2 -  LMHNM011
Sophora secundifloraMescal Bean, Texas Mountain LaurelTree10.0 7-10 SLMHNDM013
Sophora sericeaSilky SophoraPerennial0.3 -  LMHNDM30 
Sophora tetrapteraKowhaiTree10.0 7-10 SLMHNM002
Sophora tonkinensis Shrub1.0 -  LMHSNM02 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Franch.)Skeels.

Botanical References

11200266

Links / References

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