Kowhai - Definition and Overview

Kowhai is a small woody legume tree native to New Zealand. There are eight species. Sophora microphylla is the most common, and has smaller leaves and flowers than Sophora teraptera. Kowhai trees grow throughout the country and are a common feature in New Zealand gardens.

Kowhai grow to around eight metres high and have fairly smooth bark with small leaves. They flower from spring through to early summer with large, bright, horn-shaped, yellow flowers.

Kōwhai is the Maori word for yellow, from the colour of the flowers.

The Kowhai is the national flower of New Zealand.

External Links

• The Current Taxonomy of New Zealand Legumes (http://www.rhizobia.co.nz/taxonomy/legume.html)