Description
Sophora japonica, also known as the national locust tree, has a tall tree shape, and its pinnate compound leaves are similar to that of Robinia pseudoacacia. The flowers are light yellow and can be cooked and eaten as well as traditional Chinese medicine or dyes. Unopened Sophora japonica is commonly known as "Sophora japonica", which is a kind of Chinese medicine. The flowering period is at the end of summer, which is different from the flowering period of other tree species. It is an important nectar plant. Flowers and pods are used as medicine to cool and astringe, stop bleeding and lower blood pressure; leaves and root bark have heat-clearing and detoxifying effects, which can treat sores; wood is used for construction. Seed kernels contain starch, which can be used for wine making or as paste and feed. Bark, branches and leaves, flower buds, flowers and seeds can all be used as medicine.
The panicle is terminal, often pyramid-shaped, up to 30 cm long; the pedicel is shorter than the calyx; 2 bracteoles, shaped like small stipules; the calyx is shallowly campanulate, about 4 mm long, and the calyx teeth are 5, nearly as large, round Shaped or obtuse-triangular, gray-white pubescent, calyx tube nearly glabrous; corolla white or light yellow, flag petals nearly round, length and width about 11 mm, short stalk, purple veining, apex slightly absent, base Shallow heart-shaped, wing petals oval-oblong, 10 mm long, 4 mm wide, apex rounded, base oblique halberd, without wrinkles, keel petals are broad ovate-oblong, equal length to wing petals, and up to 6 in width Mm; stamens nearly separated, persistent; ovary nearly glabrous.
Pods are beaded, 2.5-5 cm long or slightly longer, with a diameter of about 10 mm. The constriction between the seeds is not obvious. The seeds are arranged tightly and have a fleshy pericarp. They do not crack after maturity. They have 1-6 seeds; the seeds are ovoid, Yellowish green, dark brown after drying. Flowering period from June to July, fruiting period from August to October
