Flowering Kowhai Tree

The yellow flowering Kowhai is a small New Zealand tree whose flowers enjoys iconic status. Each island (north and south) has its own dominant type - Sophora tetraptera in the north and Sophora microphylla in the south. There are also many hybrids in the wild and in gardens. This tree sounds like a sociable separatist!

Golden Yellow Flowers

The flowers are a golden sulphur yellow, and appear in spring in hanging clusters. The word 'kowhai' means yellow in Maori. Apparently native birds like tuis and kereru (wood pigeons) love the nectar - unfortunately these birds don't visit my garden. I've heard they can get carried away and rip the flowers enthusiastically to shreds...

Two Kowhai trees were part of the original plantings in my garden, overhung by pines and gums, hard to spot. Then last winter some natural thinning of the surrounding trees occurred - thanks to a heavy, wet, snow storm. This spring the golden flowers have been amazing.

Sophora tetraptera or Sophora microphylla?

Though I live in the South Island, I think I have the North Island variety! Or, like me, it could be a beautiful hybrid... Oops!