Sophora tomentosa
Sophora tomentosa subsp. bahamensis
yellow necklacepod, yellow sophora
rachis 10–25 cm;
leaflets 11–21, blades obovate, oblong, elliptic, or suborbiculate, 2–4(–5) cm, surfaces villous to sericeous abaxially, densely villous, sericeous, or glabrescent adaxially.
blades mostly obovate or oblong, base cuneate to rounded, usually strongly asymmetrical, surfaces sparsely pubescent abaxially.
35–75-flowered, crowded, 12–32 cm;
bracteoles 0.
4–10 mm.
spreading, (17–)20–25 mm;
calyx broadly campanulate, 5–8[–10] mm;
corolla creamy white to yellow;
ovary pubescent.
(17–)20–23 mm;
calyx 5–7 mm.
black, narrowly oblong-moniliform, 5–15(–20) × 0.5–1 cm, leathery.
1–15, light brown, 4–8 mm.
= 18.
Sophora tomentosa
Sophora tomentosa subsp. bahamensis
Subspecies ca. 7 (2 in the flora).
Sophora tomentosa is polymorphic and has a worldwide distribution along tropical and subtropical seashores. The seeds are considered toxic and have diuretic, sudorific, and purgative properties; they are also used for other medicinal purposes (R. A. Vines 1960).
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Subspecies bahamensis is known from coastal counties in peninsular Florida. The littoral habitat of subsp. bahamensis has declined with the intensive development of the Florida coastline; the plants persist along roadsides and other disturbed areas.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
1. Leaflet blades mostly obovate or oblong; flowers (17–)20–23 mm. | subsp. bahamensis |
1. Leaflet blades broadly elliptic or suborbiculate; flowers 23–25 mm. | subsp. occidentalis |
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