Sophora tomentosa explained

Sophora tomentosa, also known as necklacepod, yellow necklacepod, and occasionally as silver bush, is a pantropical shrub or small tree in the family Fabaceae. It commonly ranges in height from 4 to 10 feet and often occurs in coastal conditions and near wetlands.[1] The common name Necklacepod is derived from the characteristic string of seed pods that develop after its yellow flowers germinate into seeds.

Necklacepod is a nectar plant for bees, butterflies, and in parts of the Americas hummingbirds as well. It is suggested for use by native plant enthusiasts in Florida as a good landscape plant for xeriscaping[2] but it only naturally occurs in coastal counties in the central and southern part of the state,[1] while closely related varieties occur in Texas, and the Caribbean.[3] The variety of Necklacepod growing in Australia is considered an endangered species in some areas due to the clearing of coastal habitat and displacement by invasive species.[4]

In Sri Lanka, the plant is known as moodu murunga. The inedible pod has some similarities to the murunga (drumstick) pod. It has been used to make fish poisons, insect and spider repellents etc., esp in Africa.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Richard. Wunderlin. Bruce Hansen . Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants. Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa. 24 March 2011.
  2. Web site: Gann. G.D.. Natives For Your Neighborhood. The Institute for Regional Conservation, Miami. 24 March 2011.
  3. Web site: plants.usda.gov. US Department of Agriculture. 24 March 2011.
  4. Web site: Sophora tomentosa (a shrub) - endangered species listing. https://web.archive.org/web/20080730113152/http://npws.nsw.gov.au/determinations/SophoraTomentosaEndSpListing.htm. dead. 30 July 2008. New South Wales Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water. 24 March 2011.