Sophora chrysophylla
(Salisb.) Seem.
Fabaceae
Edwardsia chrysophylla Salisb.
Common Name: Mamane
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[
,
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[
,
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 |  |
| Habit | Deciduous Tree |
| Height | 10.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
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[
].
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[
,
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[
].
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[
].
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
