Sophora prostrata

Sophora prostrata is commonly known as kowhai, prostrate kowhai or dwarf kowhai and is endemic to the eastern South Island from Marlborough to the Waitaki Valley in New Zealand although most commonly found on the Banks Peninsula.

Divaricating growth habit in S. prostrata

Sophora prostrata
Prostrate kowhai with orange flower
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Plantae
(unranked):
Angiosperms
(unranked):
Eudicots
(unranked):
Rosids
Order:
Fabales
Family:
Fabaceae
Subfamily:
Faboideae
Tribe:
Sophoreae
Genus:
Sophora
Species:
S. prostrata
Binomial name
Sophora prostrata
Buchanan

It is a low growing shrub reaching a height of around 2 metres.[1] This species has a divaricating habit that lasts for the life of the shrub unlike other New Zealand Sophora species which lose the divaricating habit as adult trees..[2]

The leaves of this species are usually quite small up to about 2 cm in length.[3]

Flowers are often orange though they do occur as yellow in common with most other kowhai species.[4] The seeds are black or very dark brown and may appear dark red. This contrasts with other native New Zealand species whose seeds are yellow.[4]

References
  1. "Sophora: Kowhai". Bushmansfriend.
  2. Hugh D Wilson (2013). Plant Life on Banks Peninsula. Manuka Press.
  3. "Sophora prostrata (Prostrate Kowhai)". T.E.R:R.A.I.N. All Rights Reserved.
  4. "Sophora prostrata". Flora Details. New Zealand Plant Conservation Network.


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