Sophora mollis

(Royle) Graham ex Baker

Soft sophora

Fabaceae Edible: Leaves 14 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Deciduous shrub growing to 2 m tall, hardy to UK zone 8. Hermaphroditic, insect-pollinated nitrogen-fixer. Adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, or heavy clay soils with preference for well-drained conditions across mildly acid to basic pH. Requires full sun and tolerates dry or moist soil.

Description

An erect shrub. It loses its leaves during the year. It grows 90-120 cm tall. The young shoots have fine hairs. There are 19-35 leaflets. The are opposite or alternate. They are 1.2-2.5 cm long and narrowly oval. The flowers are in groups and the flowers are about 1.5-2.6 cm long. The fruit is a pod 7.5-13.0 cm long. It has 5-10 joints.

Edible Uses

One source notes the plant has edible qualities but does not specify which part is eaten.

Traditional Uses

CAUTION: This plant is poisonous. The leaves are cooked and eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows in Kasmir and the North West Frontier Province in Pakistan. In Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Afghanistan, Asia, Central Asia, China, Himalayas, India, Iran, Middle East, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan,

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. Stored seed should be pre-soaked for 12 hours in hot (not boiling) water, then sown in late winter in a greenhouse. Prick out seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle, and grow them on under protected conditions for 2 years before planting out into permanent positions in early summer of the third year. Cuttings of young shoots with a heel can be taken in July or August in a frame. Air-layering is also an option.