Kauaʻi record · kba_plant_sophora_tetraptera

Large-leaved Kōwhai

Sophora tetraptera

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About Large-leaved Kōwhai

Large-leaved Kōwhai (Sophora tetraptera) is a post-contact introduced tree documented on Kauaʻi through historical forestry planting records. The reviewed records do not establish present survival. Native to New Zealand's North Island in temperate coastal and lowland forest, cliffs, and stream margins. Government forestry records document historical planting of Sophora tetraptera on Kauaʻi. Planting evidence alone does not establish present survival, naturalization, abundance, or ecological impact. Current survival, naturalization, abundance and ecological effects are unconfirmed. Public occurrence is island-level only.

Kauaʻi evidence

Taxonomic identity, tree form, diagnostic morphology and island occurrence use the linked reviewed sources. Historical planting, cultivation, naturalization and invasive status are separate. Generated imagery is not occurrence evidence. The 1918–1959 Kauaʻi reforestation working register records 10 plants under Sophora tetraptera across 1 entries dated 1933. These are recorded planting quantities, not counts of surviving trees, and they do not by themselves establish current persistence, naturalization, or ecological impact. Source: Kauaʻi Reforestation Plantings 1918–1959 working register (user-supplied; reconciled 6 October 2026).

Names and classification

Scientific name: Sophora tetraptera
Common names: Large-leaved Kōwhai · Kōwhai
Other names: Sophora tetraptera · Large-leaved kōwhai · Kōwhai
Record type: Species

Kauaʻi occurrence and status

Kauaʻi occurrence: Recorded on Kauaʻi
Origin: Introduced
Conservation status: Not yet assessed
Evidence date: 2026-10-06
Evidence limits: Current survival on Kauaʻi, numbers, occupied habitat, reproduction and ecological effects are unconfirmed; historical planting does not establish naturalization.

Habitat and ecology

Habitats: Not yet assessed
Food and resource needs: Not yet assessed
Reproduction: In its native range, the species bears golden-yellow flower racemes and brown pods with six to twelve or more hard yellow seeds. The primary factsheet documents propagation after nicking the hard seed coat; Kauaʻi seed viability and recruitment are unknown.
Shelter: Not yet assessed
Growth form: Evergreen or semi-deciduous tree

Threats and conservation

Monitoring: Not yet assessed
Data gaps: Current population extent and trajectory · Additional species-specific ecological and conservation sources

Process and seasonal context

Seasonal timing: Not yet assessed
Seasonal description: Large-leaved Kōwhai (Sophora tetraptera) is a post-contact introduced tree documented on Kauaʻi through historical forestry planting records. The reviewed records do not establish present survival. Native to New Zealand's North Island in temperate coastal and lowland forest, cliffs, and stream margins. Government forestry records document historical planting of Sophora tetraptera on Kauaʻi. Planting evidence alone does not establish present survival, naturalization, abundance, or ecological impact. Current survival, naturalization, abundance and ecological effects are unconfirmed. Public occurrence is island-level only.

Sources and further reading

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