Sophora molloyi | |
---|---|
'Dragon's Gold' cultivar | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Subfamily: | Faboideae |
Genus: | Sophora |
Species: | S. molloyi
|
Binomial name | |
Sophora molloyi |
Sophora molloyi, the Cook Strait kōwhai, Molloy's kōwhai or Stephen's Island kōwhai, one of 8 species of kōwhai native to New Zealand, grows naturally around the Cook Strait region. It was first described as a species in 2001 and named after Brian Molloy of Landcare Research, who was a researcher and scientist for more than 30 years. [2]
Cook Strait kōwhai forms a small compact bush and can become quite wide but only grows to about head height. [3] It is an early flowering species, normally between April and October. Flowers are yellow and around 3 cm long. [4] Unlike other kōwhai, S. molloyi retains its leaves all year round, [5] and does not have a divaricating juvenile stage when grown from seed. [2]
Using the New Zealand Threat Classification System, S. molloyi was rated in 2012 as being "at risk – naturally uncommon". Cook Strait kōwhai was previously rated in 2004 as being at risk due to its restricted range. [6] This classification remains as of 2017. [1]
In horticulture it is sold as the two varieties 'Dragons Gold' and 'Early Gold', which are popular garden plants.
Sophora molloyi makes a good container plant due to its smaller size, because it retains its leaves year-round and flowers over winter when few other plants are flowering.
Sophora molloyi | |
---|---|
'Dragon's Gold' cultivar | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Subfamily: | Faboideae |
Genus: | Sophora |
Species: | S. molloyi
|
Binomial name | |
Sophora molloyi |
Sophora molloyi, the Cook Strait kōwhai, Molloy's kōwhai or Stephen's Island kōwhai, one of 8 species of kōwhai native to New Zealand, grows naturally around the Cook Strait region. It was first described as a species in 2001 and named after Brian Molloy of Landcare Research, who was a researcher and scientist for more than 30 years. [2]
Cook Strait kōwhai forms a small compact bush and can become quite wide but only grows to about head height. [3] It is an early flowering species, normally between April and October. Flowers are yellow and around 3 cm long. [4] Unlike other kōwhai, S. molloyi retains its leaves all year round, [5] and does not have a divaricating juvenile stage when grown from seed. [2]
Using the New Zealand Threat Classification System, S. molloyi was rated in 2012 as being "at risk – naturally uncommon". Cook Strait kōwhai was previously rated in 2004 as being at risk due to its restricted range. [6] This classification remains as of 2017. [1]
In horticulture it is sold as the two varieties 'Dragons Gold' and 'Early Gold', which are popular garden plants.
Sophora molloyi makes a good container plant due to its smaller size, because it retains its leaves year-round and flowers over winter when few other plants are flowering.