Styphnolobium japonicum (Sophora japonica), indigenous to China, Korea. Imported in Europe in 1750. Tall tree with a height of 12-16 m and a wide rounded crown. Usually a crooked trunk, strongly forked in the top. The bark is greyish-brown and has longitudinal grooves. The young branches are bare and dark green with lenticels. Pinnate, dark green leaf. Flowers in August with terminal, 25 cm long loose and wide panicles, yellowish-white and very high in pollen. Up to 8 cm long fruits and grey,
husked pods. Requires loose, fertile and calcareous, loamy soil in a warm, sunny location. Beautiful park tree. Under perfect soil conditions and similar location factors also on wide, open green verges in wind-sheltered lanes. Also suitable as an avenue tree.