Japanese Pagoda Tree
(Styphnolobium japonicum)
Japanese Pagoda Tree (Styphnolobium japonicum)
/
/
Michael Ellis
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Michael Ellis
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Michael Ellis | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Michael Ellis | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2018-07-25T15:11:02Z |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Styphnolobium japonicum, commonly known as Japanese Pagoda Tree, is a deciduous tree native to China. It is widely cultivated for its attractive form and late-summer flowering, often found in urban environments, botanical gardens, and as a street tree. This species thrives in a range of habitats including open woodlands and forest edges in its native region. It typically grows to 10–20 meters tall with an equal spread, forming a rounded to broad-rounded crown.
The Japanese Pagoda Tree is noted for its showy, creamy-white flowers that bloom in August and September, providing visual interest during a time when few other trees are in flower. The compound leaves turn a clear yellow in fall, adding seasonal color to landscapes. Its fine, dark brown timber is also valued for woodworking. In cultivation, it is used for shade, as a specimen tree, and for its aesthetic appeal in urban settings. It prefers full sun to part shade and adapts to a variety of soil conditions, from slow to fast drainage, though it performs best in well-drained loams. While generally easy to maintain, it can be susceptible to canker diseases and may require regular pruning to maintain a strong structure. It is not typically invasive but should be monitored as it can spread if conditions are favorable.CC BY-SA 4.0
The Japanese Pagoda Tree is noted for its showy, creamy-white flowers that bloom in August and September, providing visual interest during a time when few other trees are in flower. The compound leaves turn a clear yellow in fall, adding seasonal color to landscapes. Its fine, dark brown timber is also valued for woodworking. In cultivation, it is used for shade, as a specimen tree, and for its aesthetic appeal in urban settings. It prefers full sun to part shade and adapts to a variety of soil conditions, from slow to fast drainage, though it performs best in well-drained loams. While generally easy to maintain, it can be susceptible to canker diseases and may require regular pruning to maintain a strong structure. It is not typically invasive but should be monitored as it can spread if conditions are favorable.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree
- Height: 50-75 feet
- Width: 35-50 feet
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Flower Color: Cream, White
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fire Resistant, Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Native to open woodlands and forest edges in Korea and China
Other Names
Common Names: Japanese Pagoda-Tree, Pagoda-Tree, Chinese Scholartree, Japanse Honingboom, Pagodträd, Hoehwanamu, Enju, Huai, 회화나무
Scientific Names: , Sophora japonica, Styphnolobium japonicum, Anagyris foetida, Sophora japonica var. pubescens, Styphnolobium japonicum f. pendulum, Sophora japonica f. pendula, Sophora japonica var. pendula, Sophora japonica var. vestita, Sophora japonica var. violacea
GBIF Accepted Name: Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott