''Sophora longicarinata'' is commonly known as

kōwhai Kōwhai ( or ) are small woody legume trees within the genus ''Sophora'' in the family Fabaceae that are native to New Zealand. There are eight species, with ''Sophora microphylla'' and '' S. tetraptera'' being the most recognised as large trees ...

or limestone kōwhai that grows naturally in a limited range around northern

Nelson Nelson may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Nelson'' (1918 film), a historical film directed by Maurice Elvey * ''Nelson'' (1926 film), a historical film directed by Walter Summers * ''Nelson'' (opera), an opera by Lennox Berkeley to a lib ...

and also western Marlborough in

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 List of islands of New Zealand, smaller islands. It is the ...

. This species has quite small leaves compared to other similar species. Originally classified as a species in 1942 and then merged with

Sophora microphylla ''Sophora microphylla'', common name kōwhai, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to New Zealand. Growing to tall and broad, it is an evergreen shrub or small tree. Each leaf is long with up to 40 pairs of shiny oval ...

it was reclassified as its own species again in 2001. As its common name suggests it grows in limestone areas. This species does not have a divaricating juvenile phase. Sophora longicarinata flowers

References

longicarinata Trees of New Zealand {{Sophoreae-stub