Sophora March 2017 Sophora tomentosa Native Plants of Guam ophora is a small tree found near the ocean, on rocky cliffs, and Ssandy beaches. It is fast-growing and can reach up to 12 feet with several arching stems. It exudes a smell like beans. Other Common Names: Moodu murunga, Necklace pod, Sea-coast Laburnum, Silver bush, Tambalisa, Yellow necklace pod, Yellow sophora Synonyms: Sophora occidentalis Family Name: Fabaceae Plant Appearance Distinctive feature: The pods start to develop like strings and later become constricted between seeds. The constricted pods look like beads on a Sophora flowersb. necklace, giving the plant its name. Leaf Shape: Round ended, oval-shaped Arrangement: Alternate, odd-pinnate Type: Compound Flower Size: Petals are about 0.75-1.0 in. long. The whole inflorescence is about 4-20 in. long. Color: Yellow c a Shape: Pea-like and papillionaceous Sophora leaves . Sophora fruit . (like a butterfly) Arrangement: Raceme (cluster of flowers equally distributed along the stem) Flowering period: All year Habit Typical height: It can grow up to 12 ft. Fruit Type: Bean pod, indehiscent Size: About 2-8 in. long Sophora seedsa. Sophora seedlinga. Color: Yellow and turns brown when dried College of Natural & Applied Sciences USDA is an equal University of Guam | Unibetsedåt Guahan opportunity employer and provider. Number of seeds: 6-8/pod Notes How to Use This Plant Edible: No This publication is an update of: Kristine Borja. 2007. Sophora. Guam Sophora is best used where there is Department of Agriculture. 2pp. Growing Your Own good air circulation. It is a fast grower; however, its rangy growth habit makes For Further Information PROPAGATION it unsuitable as a formal hedge. Forestry & Soil Resources Division Form: Seeds and cuttings Agroforestry: Accent, specimen plant, background, border plant Guam Department of Agriculture Seed collection: Collect seeds from Phone: (671) 735-3949/51 Medicinal: The roots and seeds mature fruits from the tree or the Fax: (671) 734-0111 contain alkaloid compounds. When ground. 163 Dairy Rd, Mangilao, Guam 96913 crushed, they can be used to treat http://forestry.guam.gov/http://forestry. Seed treatment: Overnight soaking of intestinal disorders and tertiary malaria. guam.gov/ the seeds may speed germination. It may also serves as an antidote to Germination time: 1-2 months intake of poisonous marine life. Planting depth: No deeper than 0.4- Other uses: None 0.6 in. Pre-planting: None References and Resources Special hints: None Pollinators: Bees and butterflies Raulerson, L. and A. Rinehart. 1991. Trees and Shrubs of the Production Conditions Northern Mariana Islands. Coastal Resources Management, Office of the Governor, CNMI. 120p. pH value: 7.2-8.4 (neutral to calcareous) www.en.wikipedia.org Water: Low www.wildflower.org Salt tolerance: High http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu/Hort/ GardenPubsAZ/Necklace_pod_ Wind tolerance: High Sophora_tomentosa.pdf Soil characteristics: Moist, well- http://keys.trin.org.au/key-server/ drained sandy (sandy loam or medium data/0e0f0504-0103-430d-8004- loam) or limestone soils 060d07080d04/media/Html/taxon/ Light: Full sun or light shade Sophora_tomentosa.htm Space requirement: None Growth rate: 1-3 ft. per year Photo Credits Growth direction: Spreading with a. Forestry & Soil Resources Division, many irregular arching branches Guam Department of Agriculture Fertilizer: Applying organic content on b. Lauren Gutierrez the potting mix will help the seedlings c. Christine Bucayu-Laurent thrive. Pruning: Occasional pruning is Contributors required once established. Christine Bucayu-Laurent, James R. Hollyer, Adrienne Loerzel, and Kristine Risks Borja. Acknowledgements Near surface roots: None Special thanks to John “Bart” Lawrence Limb breakage: Low for his valuable contribution in the Pests: Caterpillars and mealybugs are completion of this factsheet. rare problems for this plant. However, if infested, insecticides can treat these persistent pests..