Necklace Pod
Location
Butterfly Garden
- Common Name: Necklace Pod (other common names: Yellow necklace pod, silverbush, yellow sophora, tambalisa).
- Scientific Name: Sophora tomentosa
- Family Name: Fabaceae
- Origin: Native to Florida
- Height: 6’ – 10’
- Width: 8’ – 12’
- Growth: Moderate
- Zone: 10 – 11
- Light Needs: Full sun – partial shade.
- Salt Tolerance: Will tolerate high levels of salt spray and is at home on the inland side of the dunes along the beach.
- Soil/PH/Texture: Sand, loam, and clay, well-drained sandy soil, mildly acidic – mildly alkaline (pH 6.1 – 7.8).
- Soil Moisture: Average water needs, do not overwater but regularly.
- Drought Tolerance: High
- Pests/Diseases: No serious pests or diseases of major concern.
- Growing Conditions: This evergreen will grow or be found on the edges of coastal forests or on the inner sides of beach dunes and has low fertilizer requirements.
- Characteristics: Its leaves are green – bronze, less than 2”, odd-pinnately compound, 11-21 leaflets, arranged alternately, entire margin, ovate shape and with pinnate venation. It blooms periodically throughout the year with showy, bright yellow, pea-like flowers that are about 1”-2”. It has many pod-like fruits that are 3-6” long and are poisonous. This plant is typically a multi-trunked shrub.
- Propagation: By stem cuttings or seed.
- Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Facts: BE CAREFUL! The seeds (necklace beads) are dangerous to eat and contain an alkaloid, cytisine, which is emetic and purgative.
- Designer Considerations: Can be used as a specimen, in mass plantings, border, or accent. Space 30” – 60” apart.
