Japanese Pagoda Tree

Japanese Pagoda Tree
This cosmopolitan genus has about 50 species of perennials, deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs, whcih have handsome, pinnate leaves, and attractive pea-like flowers and pods. Sophora japonica is widely grown as a landscape tree, especially in Japan and the Mediterranean. It needs hot summers to flower well. Sophora species contain the alkaloid cytisine, which resembles nicotine and is similarly toxic. The red seeds of the N American S. secundiflora (mescal bean, coral bean) were important in intitiation rites of tribes in the southwestern USA and Mexico, and were used to treat earache. Sophora flavescens was first mentioned during the late Han dynasty (CE25-220) and uses of S. japonica can be dated back to c.CE600. Sophora subprostrata (pigeon pea) was first recorded in Chinese Medicine c.CE973, as an anti-inflammatory and detoxicant for mouth and throat infection, and for snakebite. Research suggests use in the treatment of various cancers. Sophora is from the Arabic sophera, a name given to various trees with pea flowers.

Deciduous tree with dark green, shiny, pinnate leaves, to 25cm (10in) long, divided into 7-17 ovate leaflets, which have a downy or glaucous underside. Creamy-white, fragrant flowers, 1cm (½in) long, are produced in panicles, to 25cm (10in) long, in summer, followed by pods, to 8cm (3in) long, constricted between the seeds.

Common Name:

Botanical Name:

Sophora japonica

Genus:

Sophora

Family:

Papilionaceae

Native Location:

China, Korea

Cultivation:

Well-drained soil in sun.

Propagation:

By seed sown when ripe (species only); by grafting in late winter (cultivars of S. japonica). .

Harvest:

Roots (S. flavescens) are lifted in autumn. Flowers and flower buds (S. japonica) are picked in late summer. Fruits are collected in autumn. All parts are dried for use in decoctions.

Height:

25m (80ft)

Width:

20m (70ft)

Variations:

Pendula
Has weeping branches and rarely flowers.
Height: 3m (10ft)
Weight: 3m (10ft)

Violacea
Has lilac-tinged flower

Hardiness:

Z5-8

Parts Used:

Flowers (including buds, huai hua), fruits (huai jiao)

Properties:

A bitter, cooling, anti-bacterial herb that controls bleeding. It also lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, strengthens capillaries, reduces inflammation, and relaxes spasms (flowers); soothes irritated and damaged tissues, increases blood sugar levels, expels intestinal parasites, and improves liver functions (fruits).

Medicinal Uses:

Internally for internal hemorrhage; hypertension and poor peripheral circulation; intestinal worms, liver energy imbalance with symptoms such as tight chest, dizziness, headache, red eyes, and hypertension.

Warning:

Contraindicated during pregnancy.

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