Japanese pagoda tree
3
5
6Will it grow where I live?
Japanese pagoda tree is hardy to zone 5 – that covers all of Central Europe and the British Isles, and every USDA zone from 5 upwards.
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Profile
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Habit
- Tree
- Height
- 20 m
- Spread
- 15 m
- Growth
- fast
- Lifespan
- 250 years
- First yield
- after 20 years
- Yield per plant
- up to 15 kg a year
- Hardiness
- zone 5–9
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Soil
- Sand, Silt
- Soil moisture
- very dry – moist
- pH
- 6 – 9
Flowering & harvest
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowering | ||||||||||||
| Fruit harvest |
Uses
Edible: Young leaves & flowers (cooked) (tea); Seeds (starch) - Leaves need to be boiled in three portions of water to remove bitterness - Contains a lot of rutin, more than buckwheat - Tea made from young leaves and flowers possible - Edible starch extracted from seeds
Medicinal: This plant species is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine and is considered one of the 50 fundamental herbs. In a study of 250 potential anti-fertility agents, it ranked second. The flowers and flower buds possess antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and blood pressure-lowering properties. The ovaries are particularly rich in rutin, a valuable agent for lowering blood pressure. The buds, flowers, and pods are used to treat various conditions such as internal bleeding, poor circulation, and internal worms. The seed pods have abortifacient properties, while the seeds are used for hemorrhoids, blood in the urine, uterine bleeding, and other ailments. The leaves have a laxative effect and are employed in cases of epilepsy and spasms. A decoction of the stems is used to treat hemorrhoids, irritated eyes, and skin problems. It is important to use this plant with caution as it can be toxic. Pregnant women are advised against its use.
Origin & habitat
China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan
Dry shrubs and rocky places, especially near the sea.
⚠️ Hazards
The plant contains cytosine, which resembles nicotine and is also toxic.
Frequently asked questions
Japanese pagoda tree: how big does it get?
Japanese pagoda tree (Sophora japonica) grows as a Tree and reaches roughly 20 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 15 m. Growth is fast.
Japanese pagoda tree: what site does it need?
Japanese pagoda tree tolerates light shade. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt. Soil moisture should be in the range very dry – moist. The pH may lie between 6 and 9.
Japanese pagoda tree: is it hardy?
Japanese pagoda tree is listed as hardy in zone 5–9 and survives normal winters outdoors there.
Japanese pagoda tree: will it grow in Central Europe?
Japanese pagoda tree is hardy to zone 5 – that covers all of Central Europe and the British Isles, and every USDA zone from 5 upwards.
Japanese pagoda tree: when does it flower?
In a temperate northern-hemisphere climate it flowers in August.
Japanese pagoda tree: when is it harvested?
In a temperate northern-hemisphere climate the fruit ripens in October.
Japanese pagoda tree: when does it start cropping, and how much?
Japanese pagoda tree first crops after 20 years. A mature plant gives up to 15 kg a year. Figures assume a good site; variety, soil and climate shift them considerably.
Japanese pagoda tree: is it poisonous?
Individual parts of Japanese pagoda tree are noted as mildly problematic — the plant does not count as poisonous. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone, only on a confident identification.
Japanese pagoda tree: what is it used for?
Rated on a scale up to 10: Edible 3/10, Medicinal 5/10, Other uses 6/10.
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