La Sophora japonica (accepted synonym Styphnolobium japonicum), known as Sophora, Japanese Acacia o pagoda tree, is a deciduous tree highly valued for its shade, hardiness and honey-producing flowering. Native to China (with references also to South Korea), is widely grown in gardens and streets for its ability to adapt to urban climates, tolerate the contamination and prosper with low maintenance.
Botanical identity and names
The species belongs to the family Fabaceae and gender sophora, with which it shares typical legume traits. In addition to their common names, various legumes are grown in gardening. varieties and cultivars which extend their ornamental value: S.japonica variegata, pendulum, Dot, pubescens, among others.
Detailed description
De wide stature and rounded crown, it can reach great height depending on the climate and management. Its trunk It is straight with greyish brown bark that is crack with age. The twigs young ones are green and cylindrical.
The leaves are odd-pinnate compound, alternating, up to several decimeters; they present 7–17 leaflets oval-lanceolate in shape, with tip marked (unlike Robinia, which ends rounded). The underside may show glaucous and slightly pubescent.
La flowering appears in summer in terminal clusters Very branched, with creamy-white flowers, a soft aroma and great interest melliferous (attracts bees and other pollinators). After flowering, the tree leaves a yellowish coat under the canopy when the corollas come off.
El fruit it's a legume moniliform and indehiscent (does not open when ripe), 5–9 cm, initially green and then yellowish-brown, with up to six seeds. The seeds and bark contain compounds with effect purgative and they turn out toxic if they are ingested.
De for Growth Moderate to fast growing in youth, the species can live more than a century in good growing conditions.
essential care
Showroom: thanks the full sun, although it tolerates light semi-shade. It is resistant to cold, heat and the drought once established.
Land: although it tolerates soils poor y calcareous, prefers substrates deep, with good sewer system and some freshness. Tolerates salinity and coastal environments, but not the ponding prolonged nor compaction.
Irrigation: Moderate. It is advisable to let the substrate dry slightly between waterings; in areas with regular rainfall, occasional applications may be sufficient. Flowering is usually more profuse in somewhat dry terrain.
Subscriber: an annual contribution of mature manure o humus It is sufficient to maintain vigor and foliage, especially in poor soils.
Urban environment: stands out for its resistance to pollution, the lack of care and its ability to generate good shade in streets and parks.
Safe pruning and training
The sophora does not need pruning intensive. In training you can guiar the cup and remove double guides o low branches to raise the step height. It is advisable to avoid large diameter cuts that favor rot and cavities.
Wood can be brittleFor safety, pruning should be planned with clean cuts, at the appropriate time, and sealing should be done only if absolutely necessary. Heavy pruning stimulates emergency outbreaks with weak inserts that can fail due to wind or weight, shortening the longevity of the specimen.
Plagues and diseases
It is a kind rustic and generally little affected by pests. Occasionally they may appear mealybugs y aphids, controllable with gentle treatments or biological management.
With excess moisture Fungal problems can arise in the soil such as armillaria (root rot) or root asphyxia. On trunks and branches they may appear chancres (Nectria and others) and fruiting bodies of Polyporus. In leaves, leaf spots and a slight white powder (powdery mildew) which is rarely serious.
Preventive measures: maintain a good drainage, avoid wounds from unnecessary pruning, disinfect tools and eliminate affected parties when suspicious dents, cracks or discoloration are detected. Learn more about the types of Sophora can help prevent specific diseases.
Propagation and varieties
The spread by seeds It's simple: it's convenient scarify or soak to soften the cover and sow in a protected seedbed. The seedlings are protected from intense cold until they are well established.
The cultivars They reproduce by graft to preserve its characteristics. Highlights include: 'Pendula' (crying habit and smaller size), 'Columnaris' (narrow build), 'Dot' (pendulous and tortuous branches) and 'Regent' (large leaf, vigorous and tolerant to strong sunlight). Forms are also cultivated variegated and pubescence marked on leaves.
Uses, toxicity and curiosities
In addition to his employment as shade tree In lineups and gardens, it is an excellent honey plant. On wood, hard and stable, is appreciated in cabinetmaking. Traditionally, from its bark and flower buds were obtained yellow dyes.
Parts of the plant (especially seeds y fruits) are toxic due to their purgative effect, which is why they are not edible. In ponds, the accumulation of leaves It can contribute compounds with a laxative effect to the water.
It adapts well to the bonsai. In specific regions it may naturalize and become invasive; it is prudent to manage its dispersion and avoid planting in sensitive areas. Although it belongs to legumes, it is not usually associated with allergies notable in urban use.
Quick Planting Guide
- Hole: open a hole 2–3 times the width from the root ball and loosen the bottom. Place the neck at the same height of the land.
- Mixture: fill with native soil improved with compost or humus; avoid substrates that retain excess water.
- Root ball: Gently release spiral roots and remove damaged ones.
- Irrigation: provide plenty of water after planting and repeat according to the climate until the rooting.
- Tutors: place if there is wind to keep the trunk establish the first period.
Choosing a sunny location with well-draining soil and maintaining moderate watering is usually enough to ensure the sophora shows its best growth, blooms abundantly, and remains healthy for decades.
