Species
Sophora cassioides
Etymology
Sophora: after the Arabic name for a similar tree
Common Name(s)
Chileanp pelu
Family
Fabaceae
Flora Category
Vascular - Exotic
Structural Class
Dicotyledonous Trees & Shrubs
Similar Taxa
Sophora chathamica and S. microphylla. Chilean Pelu (S. cassioides) is often sold by nurseries as Sophora microphylla cv. Goldilocks. It can be recognised by its dark, glossy green, round leaflets which are evenly spaced at the base and become overlapping toward the apex of the leaf, and also by its smaller flowers, which open very widely.
Flower Colours
Yellow
Year Naturalised
2004
Origin
South America (Chile), Gough Island.
Until recently this species was referred to S. microphylla, a species to which it is certainly allied but nevertheless easily distinguished.
Reason For Introduction
Horticultural
Life Cycle Comments
A slow growing tree
Reproduction
From seed
Dispersal
Water or gravity
Tolerances
Very cold and wind tolerant. Can tolerate drought and other extremes of weather.
This page last updated on 28 Jul 2014