Kowhai

Maori name: Kowhai

Common name: Kowhai

Botanical names: Sophora tetraptera (“large-leaved”)

Sophora mircophylla (“small-leaved”)

Kowhai is renowned for its magnificent drooping bright yellow flowers and distinctive seed pods. It is found throughout New Zealand .

There are two types of kowhai, the large-leaved S. tetraptera variety and the short-leaved S. microphylla variety.

Height:8 meters tall

It grows by rivers throughout New Zealand

Parts used for medicine: Bark and roots

Medicinal use: Boil the bark and it will dissolve and turn into a cream

Both species of kowhai trees either get more leaves or less leaves