Coastal kowhai facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coastal kowhai |
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S. chathamica
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| Sophora chathamica Cockayne
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The Coastal kowhai (Sophora chathamica) is a special tree from New Zealand. It is also sometimes called the Chatham Island kowhai. This tree is one of eight types of native kowhai trees found in New Zealand.
You can find Coastal kowhai growing naturally in the north-west of the North Island of New Zealand. It grows from Te Paki in the north down to the Tongaporutu River in north Taranaki. You might also see it near Wellington and the Chatham Islands. People think these trees were planted there by Maori people a long time ago, in the late 1700s and early 1800s.
Before 2001, scientists thought Coastal kowhai was just a type of another kowhai, Sophora microphylla. So, if you see older books mentioning Sophora microphylla var. chathamica, they are talking about the Coastal kowhai.
What is Coastal Kowhai Like?
Coastal kowhai is a small tree. It can grow up to 6 metres (about 20 feet) tall. It can also spread out to 4 metres (about 13 feet) wide. This tree usually blooms from August to November. Its flowers are bright yellow. Each flower is about 3 centimetres (just over an inch) long. Unlike many other kowhai species, Coastal kowhai does not have a "divaricating" stage when it is young. This means its branches do not grow in a tangled, zig-zag pattern when it first sprouts from a seed.
Is Coastal Kowhai Safe?
Scientists in New Zealand use a special system to check if plants are in danger. This is called the New Zealand Threat Classification System. According to this system, Sophora chathamica is not considered a threatened species. This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
Growing Coastal Kowhai
You can often buy Coastal kowhai trees from plant nurseries all over New Zealand. There are also different types of Coastal kowhai that have been specially grown. These are called cultivars. One popular cultivar is called Milligold. A nursery named Duncan & Davies chose this type for the new millennium. At that time, it was known as Sophora microphylla var. chathamica. Milligold grows into a small, compact tree. It has branches that hang down, which makes it look very pretty. Sometimes, it is even listed as an evergreen tree.
