8 NATIVE KŌ WHAI

1 Sophora microphylla has the widest distribution, and is found naturally just about everywhere in New Zealand apart from Stewart Island. It grows in open forest, on river banks and stony hillsides. Unlike other species, its juvenile form is divaricating, which can last for 10 years. It grows up to 25m tall and can be semi-deciduous, losing its leaves when flowering.

2 Sophora chathamica grows naturally near the sea along cliffs and streams in the northwest of the North Island from Northland to Taranaki. It grows up to 20m tall and has longer and broader leaves than other species.

3 Sophora fulvida is scattered from Northland to Raglan. The small tree grows up to 10m, and is distinguishable by the lack of stalk on its leaflets. It is classed as threatened and deemed “naturally uncommon”.

4 Sophora godleyi is found in the central western North Island and grows to 25m tall. Its distinguishing feature is its leaflet hairs, which are curly or curved; those of other species are mainly straight.

5 Sophora longicarinata is found naturally in northern Nelson and western Marlborough. More of a shrub, it can grow up to 8m high, often with weeping branches, a tendency to sucker and paler flowers.

6 Sophora molloyi grows only to about 6m high – and wide. Often prostrate, it is found naturally in exposed coastal sites on both sides of Cooks Strait. It has the smallest flowers of the New Zealand ko¯whai, and they are more a lemon yellow than golden, and tend to flower through winter.

7 Sophora prostrata is found in dry rocky sites in eastern Marlborough and Canterbury. It is a small divaricating shrub with much smaller leaves than any of the other species. As well, its flowers can tend toward orange in colour.

8 Sophora teraptera grows in the eastern North Island, from East Cape to the Wairarapa, and inland as far as Taihape. It grows to 15m and can be semi-deciduous, losing its leaves slowly over winter.