Kingdom Plantae Family Fabaceae Tribe Sophoreae Rank Species | Order Fabales Subfamily Faboideae Genus Sophora | |
Similar Sophora molloyi, Sophora masafuerana, Sophora godleyi, Sophora longicarinata, Sophora fulvida | ||
Sophora howinsula , commonly known as lignum vitae or Lord Howe kowhai, is a flowering plant in the legume family. The specific epithet refers to the island to which the species is endemic.
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Description
It is a tree, growing to 10 m, sometimes 15 m, in height. The wood is hard and durable and was used for house stumps and fence posts. The pinnate leaves are 5–10 cm long. The 1.5–2 cm long yellow pea flowers are produced in racemose inflorescences. The 7–12 cm long pods each contain 5–10 smooth, orange-brown, ellipsoidal, 7 mm long seeds. The flowering season is from mid-July to mid-September.
Distribution and habitat
The plant is endemic to Australia’s subtropical Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea. It has a locally common, scattered distribution through the island’s lowland hills.