The taxonomy of this species is complex. It was originally described as Edwardsia macnabiana by Graham, who based his description on cultivated material in Edinburgh. The species was transferred into Sophora (Sophora macnabiana (Graham) Skottsb.), but this combination was not validly published. The plant has also been recognised as part of the New Zealand species Sophora microphylla but that species is now considered to be endemic to New Zealand[].

Common Name: Pelu

General Information

Sophora cassioides is a deciduous shrub or a tree that can grow up to 16 metres tall. The branches are sparse and tortuous[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use of its wood. It is grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its floral display[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southern S. America - central and southern Chile

Habitat

Forming pure stands in open forest and shrubland (‘mulga country’), or dominant in mixed vegetation, growing in sandy or loam soils in low-lying areas or hills; at elevations up to 2,000 metres[, ]..

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	5.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Sophora cassioides is not a very cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate short periods with temperatures down to around -8°c when fully dormant[]. It grows best in areas with hot summers. In areas with cooler summers (even if the winters are mild), such as the maritime regions of the temperate zone, it often grows poorly, failing to properly ripen its wood and suffering frost damage over the winter[, ]. It prefers a climate with year-round rainfall, being intolerant of dry seasons that are longer than around 1 month[].
An easily grown plant, requiring a sunny position in cooler parts of the temperate zone but some shade in areas with hot summers[]. It requires a well-drained, humus-rich soil that is preferably somewhat acid[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Wood - compact, dense, heavy, of great strength, tough, elastic, extremely durable. Used for bearings, turnery, cabinet work, ornamental uses etc[, , ]. It was used formerly for making handles and wooden parts of carriages[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse[]. Stored seed developsa hard seedcoat and benefits from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[]. Germination rates of 80% can be achieved[]. Prick out the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle into individual pots in the greenhouse, and grow them on for 2 years under protected conditions. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer of their third year.
Cuttings of young shoots with a heel, mid summer in a frame[].
Air-layering[].