TAB. 8764. 
SOPHORA JAPONICA. 
China. 
Leauminosak. Tribe SopHOREAR. 
Sopnora, Linn.; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. i. p. 555. 
Sophora japonica, Linn., Mant. p. 68; Loud. Arbor. et Frutie. Brit. 
vol. ii. p. 563; C. K. Schneider, Ill. Handb. Lauwbholzk. vol. ii. p. 19; 
Elwes & Henry, Trees of Gt. Brit. and Trel. vol. i. p. 37; Bean, Trees 
and Shrubs, vol. ii. p. 520 cum icon.; species S. affint, Torr. et Gr., 
proxima, ab ea inflorescentiis terminalibus, leguminibus glabris et statura 
majore facillime distinguenda. 
Arbor 15-25-metralis, cortice demum valde fisso; ramuli brunnei, juniores 
- magis minusve pubescentes. Folia decidua, | alterna, imparipinnata, 
15-25 em. longa; rhachis pubescens, basi tumescens ; foliola 9-15, ovata, 
acuta, apiculata, basi rotundata, 2°5-7°5 em. longa, 1°2-1°8 cm. lata, supra 
nitentia, saturate viridia, subtus glauca, adpresse pubescentia; petioluli 
2°5 mm. longi, pubescentes; stipulae falcatae, 8 mm. longae, caducae. 
Panicula terminalis, pyramidalis, 10-20 cm. longa ac lata. Flores lactei, 
15 cm. longi, aestate exacta aperti. Calyx campanulatus; lobi 5, 
perbreves, triangulares, minute pubescentes. Corolla papilionacea ; 
vexillum ex unge perbrevi late cordatum, lineis dilute purpureis notatum ; 
carina 9mm. longa. Stamina 10; filamenta libera, inaequilonga, omnia 
inter petala carinae nidulantia. Legwmen 2°5-5 em. longum, glabrum, 
1-4-spermum, inter semina valde constrictum. Semina reniformia, atro- 
brunnea.—W. J. BEAN. 
Sophora japonica was introduced to this country from 
China in 1753 by James Gordon, a nurseryman of that 
time at Mile End. It is not believed to be indigenous 
to Japan, although much cultivated there. Five trees_ 
of the original introduction were planted at Kew, one at 
least of which remains. The Sophora is one of the most 
ornamental of all hardy trees. Its foliage is elegant and 
richly luxuriant, and flowering as it does in September 
when no other large tree is in blossom, its beauty Is very 
conspicuous. It does not as a rule flower until it is » 
thirty to forty years old, and is always seen at its best Z 
after a hot summer. The pods are rarely developed in 
England; the only time we have seen them in recent 
years was in 1911. Even then the seeds do not ripen, 
JULY-SEPTEMBER, 1918. 
