Sophora tetraptera
Sophora tetraptera
Safety & Hazards
The plant contains cytosine, which resembles nicotine and is similarly toxic[ 238 Title Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Publication Author Bown. D. Publisher Dorling Kindersley, London. Year 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31 Description A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant. ]. The wood is poisonous. Two persons became very ill after eating food with a spoon made from the wood of this tree[ 292 Title People Plants Database Publication Author Website https://maoriplantuse.landcareresearch.co.nz/WebForms/default.aspx Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An online database of New Zealand plants and their Maori names and uses. An excellent information source. ].
Botanical Description
Sophora tetraptera is a semi-deciduous to evergreen shrub or small tree growing from 4 - 12 metres tall. The short bole can be 15 - 60cm in diameter[ 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. ]. The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials. The wood is of good quality and is sometimes harvested commercially. The plant is often grown as an ornamental, valued for its large, showy flowers and foliage - there are several named varieties[ 11 Title Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Publication Author Bean. W. Publisher Murray Year 1981 ISBN - Description A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures. ].