Japanese Pagoda Tree, Yellow berry
Sophora japonica
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A tree which loses its leaves during the year. It grows 18-25 m tall and spreads 12-18 m wide. The trunk becomes twisted and knotted. The bark is grey-brown with prominent ridges. It loses its leaves during the year. The leaves are about 30 cm long and made up of up to 15 leaflets. They are dark green by slightly downy underneath. The flowers are white and pea-like There are 10 stamens. The flowers are in long clusters up to 26 cm long. The pods are like cylinders but with contractions along them. The pods are 5-10 cm long. The pods often remain hanging on the tree for a long time.
There are about 45-50 Sophora species. They grow mainly in the tropics and subtropics.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It is native to China. It tolerates drought and poor soils. It is frost hardy. It suits regions with hot dry summers. It needs a sunny position. It suits hardiness zones 5-9. Arboretum Tasmania.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Central Asia, China (country/location of origin), India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mediterranean, North America, Pakistan, SE Asia, Slovenia, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tasmania, USA, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The shoots are sun-dried, and boiled three times to remove the bitter element, before eating. The flowers are eaten. The flowers, fruit and leaves are used as a substitute for tea. The seeds are a source of starch.
Edible parts
Flowers, leaves, seeds starch, fruit
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. Selected varieties can be grown by cleft grafting.
It is slow to reach flowering stage.
Its other names
Local names
Chinese scholar tree, Enju, Hoe Nhatbon, Huaishu, Huai Tree, Japonska sofora, Umbrella tree, Wai-shue