Cook Strait Kowhai facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cook Strait Kowhai |
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| Cook Strait kōwhai (Dragon's Gold pictured) | |
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Invalid status (NZ TCS)
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S. molloyi
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| Sophora molloyi Heenan & de Lange
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The Cook Strait kōwhai (Sophora molloyi) is a special type of kōwhai tree. It's one of eight kōwhai species that grow naturally in New Zealand. You can find it mostly around the Cook Strait area. People also call it Molloy's kōwhai or Stephen's Island kōwhai. Scientists first officially named this species in 2001. It was named after Dr. Brian Molloy, a scientist who studied plants for over 30 years.
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What Does It Look Like?
The Cook Strait kōwhai grows as a small, bushy plant. It can spread out quite wide but usually only reaches about head height. This plant flowers early in the year, typically between April and October. Its flowers are bright yellow and about 3 cm long.
Unlike some other kōwhai plants, S. molloyi keeps its leaves all year round. Also, when it grows from a seed, it doesn't have a "divaricating" stage. This means its young branches don't grow in a tangled, zig-zag pattern like some other kōwhai species do.
How Is It Protected?
Scientists use the New Zealand Threat Classification System to check on plants and animals. In 2012, the Cook Strait kōwhai was listed as "at risk – naturally uncommon." This means it's not found in many places, so it's naturally rare. This classification has stayed the same since 2017.
Growing Cook Strait Kōwhai
This kōwhai is popular for gardens. You can buy two special types, called 'Dragons Gold' and 'Early Gold'. Both of these came from plants found on Stephens Island.
'Dragons Gold' Kōwhai
- The 'Dragons Gold' type was chosen by Terry Hatch. He got the original plant material from Stephens Island in the 1950s.
- The first plant this type came from grew to 6 meters tall. However, most 'Dragons Gold' plants usually reach about 2 meters in their first 10 years.
- It's a great plant for covering tricky areas like steep banks or places with poor soil.
- It has many bright yellow flowers.
- The name 'Dragons Gold' reminds us of the many tuatara living on Stephens Island. Tuatara are often called "dragons" because they look a bit like them.
'Early Gold' Kōwhai
- The 'Early Gold' type was chosen earlier by John Goldie. It also came from seeds found on Stephens Island.
- This type is similar to 'Dragons Gold'. However, its flowers are a lighter, lemon-yellow color.
- This plant used to have special plant variety rights, but those have now ended.
S. molloyi is also a good plant to grow in a pot or container. This is because it stays smaller and keeps its leaves all year. It also flowers in winter when not many other plants are blooming.
