Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Sophora tetraptera J.F.Mill. var. microphylla

Spreading, evergreen, shrub or small tree with pinnate leaves, to 15cm long, composed of up to 40 pairs of ovate leaflets on silky stems, and small, axillary pendant racemes of pea-like, dark yellow flowers, to 5cm long, in spring.  To 8m.  [RHSE, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘The present species is not quite so hardy as the other [Sophora tetraptera J.F.Mill. var. grandiflora which see]; at least it does not flower so well when cultivated in the open air, which perhaps is owing to its disposition to put forth its blossoms somewhat more early in the spring. […] Native of New Zealand, where it was discovered by the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks and introduced at the same time with Edwardsia grandiflora, than which the flowers are scarcely less showy, but shorter and less pointed.’  [BM t.1442/1812].

History at Camden Park

Possibly obtained from John Bidwill.  Listed in all published catalogues [T.409/1843].

Notes

Published Dec 25, 2009 - 05:07 PM | Last updated Jul 21, 2010 - 02:31 PM

View a printable version of this page.

Figured are pinnate leaves with small pinnae, yellow flowers and pod. Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.1442, 1812.

Sophora tetraptera J.F.Mill. var. microphylla | BM t.1442/1812 | BHL

Family Fabaceae
Category
Region of origin

New Zealand, Chile
Synonyms
  • Sophora microphylla Ait.
  • Edwardsia microphylla Salisb. 
Common Name
Name in the Camden Park Record

Edwardsia microphylla
Confidence level high