What is special about the kowhai tree?

What is special about the kowhai tree?

Kōwhai trees have small leaflets and juvenile branches on some species are twisted and tangled. They grow from a seed in the ground to become a tree up to 25 m high. It’s found throughout New Zealand in a diverse range of habitats from riparian forests, coastal cliff faces to inland grey scrub communities.

What is a kowhai tree used for?

Kowhai is said to symbolise personal growth and helps people to move on from the past with a renewed sense of adventure. The bark of the tree can be used in a bath to help with bruising and has long been used by Māori to help with broken bones as well as itching, shingles, dandruff and gonorrhoea.

Where do kowhai trees grow best?

Kowhai prefer to grow in full sun and need good drainage. The flowers hold great appeal to native birds. Tui and wood pigeon enjoy the nectar. The Kowhai moth can cause considerable damage but in healthy trees the defoliation is only temporary.

Is kowhai an evergreen?

The Kowhai is a semi-evergreen tree, which means it loses all its leaves just before flowering, which occurs in spring.

How do you identify Kowhai?

Most species have yellow seeds, but Sophora prostrata has black ones. The seeds of Sophora microphylla can be very numerous and the presence of many hundreds of these distinctively yellow seeds on the ground quickly identifies the presence of a nearby kōwhai tree.

What does the Kowhai Symbolise?

A strong part of the Maori culture and tradition, it features within songs, folk law and legends. As a Kōwhai-turanga oraor Tree of Life in the Waikato, it refers to authority and powers held by people to whom we look to for help and life.

Is Kowhai a softwood?

It is one of New Zealand’s strongest hardwoods. The wood is lustrous and finishes well although it is prone to cracking when drying.

How do you identify kowhai?

What conditions do kowhai like?

Kowhai are frost hardy and moderately wind and drought tolerant. They do not grow well on hard or waterlogged soils, being best on moderately fertile sites.

What is the English name for Kowhai tree?

Sophora
Kowhai are small, woody legume trees in the genus Sophora. They are native to New Zealand. There are eight species. Kowhai is the common name in Māori language used in New Zealand….

Kowhai
Tribe:	Sophoreae
Genus:	Sophora L.
Type species
Sophora tomentosa L.

What conditions do Kowhai like?

What type of tree is a Kowhai?

Kōwhai (Māori pronunciation: [kɔːɸai] or [kɔːfai]) are small woody legume trees within the genus Sophora in the family Fabaceae that are native to New Zealand. There are eight species, with Sophora microphylla and S. tetraptera being the most recognised as large trees.

What do kowhai trees look like in art?

Kōwhai imagery is popular in art works and has been used on postage stamps and coins. Kōwhai trees have small leaflets and juvenile branches on some species are twisted and tangled.

How many species of kowhai trees are there?

Kōwhai (Māori pronunciation: [kɔːɸai] or [kɔːfai]) are small woody legume trees within the genus Sophora that are native to New Zealand. There are eight species, with Sophora microphylla and S. tetraptera being the most recognised as large trees.

Is the bark of a kowhai tree poisonous?

The seeds and bark of Kowhai trees are poisonous. Consult a licensed medical practitioner before ingesting or using any part of the Kowhai tree or other plants for medicinal reasons. “Kowhai” is the Maori word for “yellow”. The tree was so named for its bright yellow flowers.

When do the kowhai flowers bloom in New Zealand?

The kōwhai flowers were a source of yellow dye. Also, when the kōwhai flowers bloom, in late winter and early spring, it is time to plant kumara (sweet potato). Māori also used the kōwhai tree as medicine.