David's Mountain Laurel Sophora davidii
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Sophora viciifolia
- Phonetic Spelling
- sah-FOR-ah duh-VID-ee-eye
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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David's mountain laurel, is a spiny, deciduous shrub in the Fabaceae (bean) family native to southwestern China and typically grows to 6 to 8 feet in length and width. The genus name Sophora is Arabic and the species name davidii is in reference to Jesuit missionary ean Pierre Armand David (1826-1900).
It grows best in rich soil or well-drained sandy loam, with medium moisture, in full sun or partial shade. It also does well in clay soil, but it will not grow in the shade. In spring, it displays small, fragrant ,and showy blue and white blossoms that are more prolific if the plant is sited in full sun and protected from cold winds. The plant's foliage is also quite attractive. Once mature, the plant tolerates heat and some drought. Propagate the plant by scarifying the seeds.
The thick dense canopy of leathery leaves and spiny branches makes it ideal for use as a hedge or security plant in the landscape. This low-maintenance shrub is noted for its ability to fix nitrogen within the plant.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Twig blight, verticillium wilt, canker, powdery mildew, and rust may occur. The seeds are poisonous.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Sophora
- Species:
- davidii
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southwestern China
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- heat tolerant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Appendage:
- Spines
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Legume
- Fruit Description:
- Seed pods (1 to 4 seeds each) mature from green to brown
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Fragrant, pea-like, pale blue and white flowers in 6 inch terminal racemes (of 6 to 12 3/4 inch flowers each) bloom in May and June.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Pinnate compound leaves to 4 inches long, each with 11 to 19 small elliptic blue-green leaflets (to 3/8 inches long), are attractive throughout the growing season.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Multiple stems. Spiney when mature.
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Landscape:
- Design Feature:
- Hedge
- Security
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heat
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Spines/Thorns
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- The seeds of this plant, are mildly poisonous if eaten. The poisonous elements of this plant resemble nicotine in its actions and toxicity. If seeds are ingested, it can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, excitement, delirium, and coma.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Alkaloids
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Seeds
