Common Name:

General Information

Sophora mollis is an erect, deciduous shrub growing around 90 - 120cm tall[, ].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

The plant contains cytosine, which resembles nicotine and is similarly toxic[].

Botanical References

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Range

Asia - Uzbekistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Palistan, northwest India, Nepal, China (Yunnan)

Habitat

Rocks in dry valleys, at elevations from 1,200 - 2,000 metres[]. Often gregarious on hillsides[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Sophora mollis is not very cold hardy, tolerating short-lived temperatures down to around -8°c according to one report[], and down to -15°c according to another[]
Succeeds in a well-drained moderately fertile dry soil in full sun[]. Requires a hot dry position, succeeding outdoors only in the warmer areas of the country[] where its wood will be better ripened and more able to withstand winter cold[].
Hardy to about -15°c[].
Plants should be container-grown and planted out whilst young, older plants do not transplant well[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
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

One report says that the plant has edible qualities but does not say what part of the plant is eaten[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The seed is considered useful for destroying vermin[].

Wood - hard. Mainly used as a fuel[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse[]. Pre-soak stored seed for 12 hours in hot (not boiling) water and sow in late winter in a greenhouse[]. 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[].