Nestled in the Glasshouse Bays this evergreen shrub is full of flower.
A member of the Papilionaceae (pea) family, the genus Sophora numbers some 50 species of southern hemisphere trees, shrubs and perennials. This one is an endemic of central Chile, and was introduced into cultivation in 1822. It has pinnate leaves typical of the genus, and produces short axillary racemes of golden yellow, bell-shaped flowers in early spring. It produces downy, un-winged pods to 10cm in length, which are pinched between the seeds. Sophora macrocarpa enjoys a sheltered location, though will endure short periods of snow and temperatures to -8°C.