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{{SPlantbox
{{SPlantbox
|familia=Fabaceae
|genus=Sophora
|genus=Sophora
|species=tetraptera
|species=tetraptera
|Min wd box=4
|Min wd box=4
|Min wd metric=m
|Min wd metric=m
|Max wd box=10
|Max wd box=8
|Max wd metric=m
|Max wd metric=m
|origin=New Zealand
|origin=New Zealand
|poisonous=All parts
|poisonous=All parts
|lifespan=perennial
|exposure=sun, part-sun
|exposure=sun, part-sun
|water=moist, moderate
|water=moist
|features=evergreen, flowers, birds, wildlife, bonsai, hummingbirds
|features=evergreen, flowers, birds, wildlife, bees, bonsai, hummingbirds
|flower_season=early spring, mid spring, late spring
|flower_season=early spring, mid spring, late spring
|Temp Metric=°F
|flowers=yellow
|Min Temp Num=-12C
|Temp Metric=°C
|min_zone=8
|max_zone=11
|image=Kowhai flowers.jpg
|image=Kowhai flowers.jpg
|image_width=200
|image_width=200
}}
}}
'''Sophora Tetraptera''' or simply '''Kowhai''' is an evergreen that is native to New Zealand and parts of Chile. It is the national flower of New Zealand.
The young branches, leaves and flower buds are covered with a fine down that is brown in colour. During the spring, the tree is covered in [[[raceme|racemes]] of golden yellow flowers. The leaves are about 8-10 cm in length and pinnate and bearing around 10-20 pairs of 20-35mm leaflets. The tree itself has an airy graceful habit.
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==Cultivation==
==Cultivation==
''S. tetraptera'' is best planted in a sunny or semi shaded position with moist, free draining soil. It is commonly seen growing along rivers and streams in the North Island of New Zealand. It grows from around sea level up to 500m. The tree is slightly earlier flowering than its cousin, ''[[sophora microphylla|S. microphylla]]''.
===Propagation===
===Propagation===
The seeds need to be treated specially to make them grow. In nature the hard outer shell of the Kowhai seed erodes away as it tumbles down streams, so the shell needs to be damaged somehow to allow water to soak into it. To allow this, one can take small nicks out of the shell using a pair of nail clippers or some similar instrument. After the chitting, the seed needs to be placed in a container of water to soak for a night.<br>
The seeds are best planted in a coarse mix to allow for good drainage, this prevents rotting or fungal infections.<br>
The germination period is 14-21 days.
The Kowhai can be grown from cuttings during autumn and early winter. They will take about 60-100 days to root and can be planted out in spring.
===Pests and diseases===
===Pests and diseases===
<gallery>
<gallery>
Kowhai flowers.jpg| A close-up of ''S. tetraptera'' flowers.
Image:Upload.png| photo 2
Image:Upload.png| photo 2
Image:Upload.png| photo 3
Image:Upload.png| photo 3