Sophora prostrata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sophora prostrata |
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| Prostrate kowhai with orange flower | |
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S. prostrata
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| Sophora prostrata Buchanan
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Sophora prostrata is a special plant often called kowhai, prostrate kowhai, or dwarf kowhai. It is a plant that grows only in New Zealand, mainly in the eastern part of the South Island. You can find it from Marlborough down to the Waitaki Valley. It is most common around the Banks Peninsula.
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About the Prostrate Kowhai
The prostrate kowhai is a unique shrub. It stays quite small, usually growing to about 2 metres (around 6.5 feet) tall. This plant has a very special way of growing that makes it look different from other kowhai trees.
What Does It Look Like?
The leaves of the prostrate kowhai are usually very tiny. They are often only about 2 centimetres (less than an inch) long. This small size helps it stand out.
Its Unique Branches
This plant has a "divaricating" growth habit. This means its branches grow in a tangled, zig-zag pattern. They spread out widely and often cross over each other. This special growth style stays with the plant its whole life. Other kowhai species might start this way but grow out of it as they get older.
Flowers and Seeds
The flowers of the prostrate kowhai are often a bright orange colour. However, you can also find them in yellow, just like most other kowhai plants. These flowers are a beautiful sight when they bloom.
Seed Colours
After the flowers, the plant produces seeds. These seeds are usually black or a very dark brown. Sometimes, they can even look dark red. This is different from other native New Zealand kowhai species, which usually have yellow seeds.
