kōwhai

Eight species of kōwhai are now recognised in New Zealand in the genus Sophora. All are endemic to New Zealand: S. chathamica, S. fulvida, S. godleyi, S. longicarinata, S. prostrata, S. microphylla, S. molloyi and S. tetraptera. Most species of kōwhai are trees but two species, S. molloyi and S. prostrata, have a prostrate or bushy growth habit. S. prostrata and S. microphylla both have a divaricating juvenile habit which, for S. prostrata, is retained throughout its life. All species of kōwhai produce pods with abundant hard-coated yellow to yellow-brown seeds. Abrasion of this hard seed coat is needed before germination can happen.