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Sophora flavescens
  • Ku Shen

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Sophora genus in the family Leguminosae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Nitrogen fixer
    Nitrogen fixer
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Sophora flavescens has 0 material uses listed
Sophora flavescens has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The plant contains cytosine, which resembles nicotine and is similarly toxic[1]. The plant is poisonous when used in quantity[2][3].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Sophora flavescens.

Material uses

The plant is a source of an insecticide and parasiticide[2][4]. No further details.

Unknown part

Insecticide
Parasiticide

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The root is anthelmintic, antibacterial, antifungal, antipruritic, astringent, bitter, carminative, diuretic, febrifuge, parasiticide, pectoral, stomachic and tonic[5][6][3][4][7][8][9]. It is used internally in the treatment of jaundice, dysentery, diarrhoea and urinary infections[1]. It is used both internally and externally in the treatment of vaginitis, eczema, pruritis, ringworm, leprosy, syphilis, scabies and itching allergic reactions[1]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[1]. The plant is anthelmintic and diuretic[8]. It also has antibacterial activity, inhibiting the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Trichomonas vaginitis[4][8].

Unknown part

Anthelmintic
Antibacterial
Antifungal
Antipruritic
Astringent
Bitter
Carminative
Diuretic
Febrifuge
Parasiticide
Pectoral
Stomachic
Tonic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nitrogen fixer

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse[10]. Pre-soak stored seed for 12 hours in hot (not boiling) water and sow in late winter in a greenhouse[11]. Prick out the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle into individual pots in the greenhouse, and grow them on for 2 years under protected conditions. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer of their third year.

Cuttings of young shoots with a heel, July/August in a frame[12].

Air-layering[10].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Sophora flavescens. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in a well-drained moderately fertile soil in full sun[10]. Requires the protection of a sunny wall if it is to flower[13], and succeeds only in the mildest areas of the country. It grows best in the warmer areas of the country where the wood will be more readily ripened and better able to withstand winter cold[14].

Although hardy to at least -15°c[1], this species does not do very well in the relatively cool summers of Britain, the plant gradually weakens and eventually succumbs[12]. It can be grown in the milder areas of the country and be treated like a herbaceous perennial, growing afresh from the base each spring[15]. An important medicinal herb in China[5]. Plants should be container-grown and planted out whilst young, older plants do not transplant well[14]. A polymorphic species[16]. The flowers are produced on the current years growth[13]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[10].

This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[10].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Sophora flavescens. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Sophora flavescens.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Sophora flavescens
Genus
Sophora
Family
Leguminosae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[5][6][3][4][7][8][9][1]
Material uses & Functions
[2][4]
Botanic
[2][10]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Nitrogen fixer
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    slow
    Mature Size
    1.5 x 1 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Sophora flavescens.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Sophora flavescens.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Sophora flavescens.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Sophora flavescens.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Sophora flavescens.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Sophora flavescens.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Sophora flavescens.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Sophora flavescens.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Sophora flavescens.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Sophora flavescens.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Sophora flavescens.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Sophora flavescens.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Sophora flavescens.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Sophora flavescens.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Sophora flavescens.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.5 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (1968-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants. ()
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.4 Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (1985-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
    7. ? 7.07.1 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    8. ? 8.08.18.28.3 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila ISBN 92 9061 120 0 (1998-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    11. ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins ISBN 0-00-219220-0 (1983-00-00)
    15. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    16. ? Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (1965-00-00)

    "image:Sophora flavescens.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Sophora_flavescens&oldid=81005"
    Facts about "Sophora flavescens"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyLeguminosae +
    Belongs to genusSophora +
    Functions asNitrogen fixer +
    Has common nameKu Shen +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has growth rateSlow +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has imageSophora flavescens.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useInsecticide + and Parasiticide +
    Has mature height1.5 +
    Has mature width1 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnthelmintic +, Antibacterial +, Antifungal +, Antipruritic +, Astringent +, Bitter +, Carminative +, Diuretic +, Febrifuge +, Parasiticide +, Pectoral +, Stomachic + and Tonic +
    Has primary imageSophora flavescens.jpg +
    Has search namesophora flavescens + and x +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameSophora flavescens +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +