Sophora tetraptera

Kowhai, large-leaved kowhai

Sophora tetraptera, commonly known as the kowhai, is found naturally in the North Island along riverbanks and forest margins from the East Cape to the Ruahine Range. It is slightly taller than S.microphylla and has longer leaves with bigger leaflets. It does not have a divaricating juvenile stage.

The golden yellow flowers appear in spring, and flowering commences at a younger age than S.microphylla. A popular plant known as S.tetraptera ‘Gnome’ is no longer considered to be a cultivar of the New Zealand kowhai but of a species from Lord Howe Island.

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Habitat:
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Suits temperate conditions.
Suits coastal conditions.
Suits alpine conditions.

Sunlight:
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Prefers full sun.

Application:
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Use in single specimen amenity plantings.
Use in revegetation plantings.

Size:
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Mature: diameter 3m x height 6m
Planting centres: 3m+

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