Japanese Pagoda Tree
Sophora japonica
Fabaceae (Legume Family)
▲▼ mature, flowering trees
▲▼ flowers
▲ fruit
▲ leaves
Location on campus: east of Craig Hall (labeled)
Sophora japonica: Japanese Pagoda Tree, Scholar-tree
· leaves deciduous, alternate, pinnately compound with ovate leaflets with pointed tips; leaflets 1-2" long and ½ as wide; glossy bright green above and glaucous underneath
· stems slender, green, glabrous with gray lenticels and solid greenish pith
· bark is light gray brown and shallowly furrowed
· grows 50-75' tall and wide in rounded crown with upright spreading branches
· flowers are creamy-white in very large terminal panicles in late spring to early summer; fruit is a translucent yellow pod
· prefers full sun and well-drained soil; fairly soil adaptable except to wet soils
· medium to fast growth rate
· Landscape uses of Japanese Pagodatree, Scholar-tree:
o Medium to large shade tree; specimen tree in flower
o Sort of tropical appearance in growth habit
o White flowers look like white frosted puffs from distance; translucent fruit pods interesting
o Very soil adaptable