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Useful Tropical Plants

Sophora chrysophylla

(Salisb.) Seem.

Fabaceae

+ Synonyms

Edwardsia chrysophylla Salisb.

Common Name: Mamane

Sophora chrysophylla
Flowering trees growing in native habitat
Photograph by: Forest and Kim Starr
Creative Commons License
Sophora chrysophylla Sophora chrysophylla Sophora chrysophylla Sophora chrysophylla

General Information

Sophora chrysophylla varies in habit according to the habitat in which it grows - at lower elevations it is a deciduous tree growing 6 - 15 metres tall, but in poor soils or at the higher levels of its range it can be a shrub just 1 metre tall. The bole can be up to 60cm in diameter[
417
Title
Hawaiian Ethnobotany Online Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/ethnobotanydb/index.asp
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Brief details on over 100 species of Hawaiian plants.
,
509
Title
The Indiginous Trees of the Hawaiian Islands
Publication
 
Author
Rock J.F.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
 
Year
1913
ISBN
 
Description
A guide to the trees and forests of Hawaii. Rather dated, but a good work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use of its wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Range

North central Pacific - Hawaii.

Habitat

Dry shrubland and forest to mesic or rarely wet forest, formerly in subalpine vegetation from sea level, but more commonly from 450 - 3,240 metres on most main islands of Hawaii[
417
Title
Hawaiian Ethnobotany Online Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/ethnobotanydb/index.asp
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Brief details on over 100 species of Hawaiian plants.
,
509
Title
The Indiginous Trees of the Hawaiian Islands
Publication
 
Author
Rock J.F.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
 
Year
1913
ISBN
 
Description
A guide to the trees and forests of Hawaii. Rather dated, but a good work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Properties

Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitDeciduous Tree
Height10.00 m
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics, it is found growing at elevations from near sea level to more than 3,000 metres[
509
Title
The Indiginous Trees of the Hawaiian Islands
Publication
 
Author
Rock J.F.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
 
Year
1913
ISBN
 
Description
A guide to the trees and forests of Hawaii. Rather dated, but a good work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Requires a sunny position[
417
Title
Hawaiian Ethnobotany Online Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/ethnobotanydb/index.asp
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Brief details on over 100 species of Hawaiian plants.
].
The tree is exceedingly deep rooted[509.
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[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is extremely hard and very durable in the soil[
509
Title
The Indiginous Trees of the Hawaiian Islands
Publication
 
Author
Rock J.F.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
 
Year
1913
ISBN
 
Description
A guide to the trees and forests of Hawaii. Rather dated, but a good work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. It is widely used for fence posts and for thatching poles up to a 5cm in diameter[
417
Title
Hawaiian Ethnobotany Online Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/ethnobotanydb/index.asp
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Brief details on over 100 species of Hawaiian plants.
,
509
Title
The Indiginous Trees of the Hawaiian Islands
Publication
 
Author
Rock J.F.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
 
Year
1913
ISBN
 
Description
A guide to the trees and forests of Hawaii. Rather dated, but a good work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. It is used locally for sledge runners[
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
].
The wood makes a good fuel[
417
Title
Hawaiian Ethnobotany Online Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/ethnobotanydb/index.asp
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Brief details on over 100 species of Hawaiian plants.
].

Propagation

Seed - is easy so long as they are pre-treated. Soak them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water, until they show signs of swelling. If they have not swollen by this time, carefully abrade the seed coat, being careful not to damage the seed within. The seed should now swell up within a few hours in water. Sow them in a nursery seedbed or individual containers in a semi-shaded position and germination should take place in 1 - 2 weeks. Young plants grow away vigorously and can be planted out when they are 20cm tall[
417
Title
Hawaiian Ethnobotany Online Database
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/ethnobotanydb/index.asp
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Brief details on over 100 species of Hawaiian plants.
].
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-10-06. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Sophora+chrysophylla>

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