Sophora chrysophylla
Genus
Sophora
Species
chrysophylla
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Māmane
- Mamani
Hawaiian Names
- Mamane
- Mamani
Synonyms
- Edwardsia chrysophylla
- Edwardsia unifoliata
- Sophora grisea
- Sophora lanaiensis
- Sophora unifoliata
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
No Status
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Shrub
- Tree
Mature Size, Height
- Shrub, Medium, 6 to 10
- Shrub, Tall, Greater than 10
- Tree, Small, 15 to 30
- Tree, Medium, 30 to 50
Mature Size, Width
Māmane have a 3 to 20 foot spread.
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Hedges
- Screening
- Specimen Plant
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Showy
Flower Colors
- Yellow
Additional Flower Color Information
Bright yellow clusters of flowers produced at the end of the branches.
Blooming Period
- Sporadic
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- July
- August
- September
- October
- November
Additional Blooming Period Information
The winged fruits are constricted between the seeds and turn brown and woody when seeds ripen. The brown fruits remain on the tree throughout the year. The seeds are brown, brownish-gray, grayish-black, yellow, or orange. Abundant viable seeds can be found under the trees and are resistant to rot.
Generally speaking, māmane lack pronounced peaks of flowering. But some specific island information is also available. For example, māmane on Hawaiʻi Island flowering period from July to November where they provide food for ʻiʻiwi. [2] On Maui they bloom in July and August. [Ethan Romanchak, Native Nursery, LLC]
Plant texture
- Medium
Additional Plant Texture Information
Leaves are grayish green and on t he lower surface have golden brown hairs turning gray. They range between less than an inch to 2 inches in length.
Leaf Colors
- Light Green
- Medium Green
- Gray / Silverish
Source of Fragrance
No Fragrance
Additional Pest & Disease Information
Thrips can be problematic. Chinese rose beetles may initially defoliate leaves, but subsequent defoliation attacks are much less common.
Fertilizer
Māmane are nitrogen-fixing plants. Suggestions range from none to medium amounts of nitrogen in fertilizers. However, Ethan Romanchak of Native Nursery, LLC recommends to "fertilize with high N-P [Nitrogen-Phosphorus] often."
Pruning Information
These are slow growing trees needing no pruning. [Ethan Romanchak, Native Nursery, LLC]
Water Requirements
Dry
Additional Water Information
Depending on source, low to medium amounts of water.
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Additional Lighting Information
Best grown in full sun.
Spacing Information
3-5 feet for shrubs; 10-15 feet for trees.
Tolerances
- Drought
- Wind
Soils
- Cinder
- Organic
Limitations
Poor tolerance to salt. Māmane does not tolerate coastal, clay or coral type soils. [Ethan Romanchak, Native Nursery, LLC]
Natural Zones
- 1000 to 1999, 0 to 50
- 1000 to 1999, 50 to 100
- 2000 to 2999, 0 to 50
- 2000 to 2999, 50 to 100
- 3000 to 3999, 0 to 50
- 3000 to 3999, 50 to 100
- 4000 to 4999, 0 to 50
- 4000 to 4999, 50 to 100
Natural Range
- Kauaʻi
- Oʻahu
- Molokaʻi
- Lānaʻi
- Maui
- Hawaiʻi
Additional Growth Environment Information
Māmane is found in dry to mesic forests and subalpine areas and sometimes in wet forests from about 1475 to 10,630 feet. Most commonly seen on East Maui and Hawaiʻi Island at higher elevations.
Special Notes and Information
Māmane (Sophora chrysophylla) is a member of the Pea or Legume family (Fabaceae). There are about 50 species in the genus Sophora, with māmane as the sole representative in the Hawaiian Islands.
Some interesting kin in the genus are eight yellow-flowered species from New Zealand known as Kōwhai (Māori for yellow); the fascinating Yellow necklace pod (Sophora tomentosa) with constricted round seed pods; Ku-Shen (S. flavescens), a Chinese medicinal herb; and Toromiro (S. toromiro), the last of the endemic trees from Rapa Nui (Easter Island) that was barely saved from extinction.
Early Hawaiian Use:
The strong wood was used for posts, rafters and thatching posts or purlins in house (hale) construction.
The bright yellow flowers were used in lei making. [1]
Modern Use:
The seeds can be strung on beautiful permanent lei and flowers as temporary lei.
Soaked seeds produce a bright yellow to amber colored water and possibly could be used to make a yellow dye.
Landscape Use:
Though māmane is a mid to high elevation growing plant, it can be grown and will flower under cultivation at much lower elevations. [David Eickhoff, NPH]
When young, the trees should be planted out and protected from intense direct sunlight, strong winds, and heavy rain until they reach 8 inches tall. Plants will flower in 2 to 5 years. Keep roots cool by growing them with other shrubs to shade the soil surface area or with mulching.
Māmane is not recommended to use as a potted plant.
Additional References
[1] "Plants in Hawaiian Culture" by Beatrice H. Krauss, pages 56, 77.
[2] Birds of North American Online http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/327/articles/distribution (accessed 1/26/09)
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