Sophora tomentosa var. occidentalis (Yellow Necklacepod)
Botanical Information
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Genus | Sophora |
| Species | tomentosa |
| Variety | occidentalis |
| Category | Tropicals, Woody |
| Type | Tree (evergreen) |
| Origin | Found in South Texas, Baja, California and Florida, and also along the tropical shores north and south of the Equator worldwide. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 8b-11 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cold season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H4 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | (-9.4) to above 4.5 |
| Temperature (°F) | 15 - 40 |
| Height | 2.5 - 3 m |
| Spread | 1.5 - 3 m |
| Growth | Medium |
Description and Growing Information
| General Description | Provides food and shelter for wildlife. It is a nectar source for hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. |
| Shape | An irregular rounded crown. |
| Cultivation | Grow in rich, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. |
| Notable Specimens | Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America. |
| Habitat | Edges of coastal forests. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Short trunks, bearing several arching stems. Bark yellowish-brown and rough with pronounced lenticels. |
| Leaf Description | A glossy dark green leaf, shiny above, slightly hairy when young then becoming glabrous. |
| Flower Description | Showy, yellow, racemose, terminal spikes. |
| Fruit Description | Yellowish-brown beaded pods 5 - 15 cm long. Seeds are poisonous if eaten. |
Photographs
Sophora tomentosa var. occidentalis, form, Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.
Sophora tomentosa var. occidentalis, leaf, Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.
Sophora tomentosa var. occidentalis, flower head, Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.
Sophora tomentosa var. occidentalis, fruit, Harry P. Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida, United States of America.