Sophora
Sophora davidii

Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae

What it is like

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

Sophora davidii 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.

Height (m): 2.5

Where it is found

Dry rocky places and arid valleys, often covering large areas.

E. Asia - China in W. Hubei, W. Sichuan and Yunnan.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Flowers. No further details are given.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Specimen. Succeeds in a sunny position in most dry or moist well-drained soils. Requires a good loamy soil. Grows well on chalk. 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. Hardy to about -20°c but requires the extra warmth of a wall if it is to flower well. However, a free-standing shrub at Kew is growing very well. A very ornamental plant. Plants should be container-grown and planted out whilst young, older plants do not transplant well. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. 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. Special Features: Not North American native, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. Pre-soak stored seed for 12 hours in hot (not boiling) water and sow in late winter in a greenhouse. 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. Air-layering.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 5-8

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

The plant contains cytosine, which resembles nicotine and is similarly toxic.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

S. viciifolia. Hance. non Salisb.