Pagoda tree

The famous Essex nurseryman James Gordon introduced the pagoda tree to the UK in 1753.

Pagoda tree (Styphnolobium japonicum)

Typical pea flowers of Styphnolobium japonicum (Image: Brian Schrire)

Did you know?

  • The pagoda tree is favoured for creating bonsai trees. 
  • The last Ming Emporer, Chongzhen, hung himself from a pagoda tree in Jingshan Park, Beijing, after peasants stormed the Forbidden City in 1644.
  • Studies by scientists in Kew’s Jodrell Laboratory have revealed that six previously unknown compounds are present in the leaves and fruits of the pagoda tree. The plant may well have potential within Western medicine; it has traditionally been used as one of the 50 fundamental plants in Chinese medicine.

Location

Close to the Ice House and Winter Garden.

Historical information

Kew’s surviving pagoda tree specimen was planted in 1762, one of five trees in the Gardens that date back to this time. The others are a maidenhair tree (Ginkgo biloba), oriental plane (Platanus orientalis), false acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia) and Caucasian elm (Zelkova carpinifolia).

All five are thought to have all come to the Gardens from the Duke of Argyll’s estate at Whitton and were planted in Kew founder Princess Augusta’s aboretum. Now nearing the end of its life, Kew’s prized specimen underwent major cavity work on its main trunk in 1996 and is propped up on metal struts. However, you can see another specimen of the tree on the Cart Track that runs parallel to Princess Walk.

About this species

Although its Latin name points to a Japanese origin, the plant is a native of China and South Korea, where it grows on rocky mountain slopes. It was initially described using cultivated specimens from Japan and was given the name Sophora japonica as a result.

Scientists recently re-classified it as Styphnolobium japonicum as new studies revealed fundamental differences between it and other members of the Sophora genus. For example, roots of Sophora plants harbour nitrogen-fixing bacteria, while those of Styphnolobium do not.

The tree is deciduous and can grow up to 25 metres high. It usually branches down when growing in the open but can form a tall trunk. It only begins to bear its creamy white flowers when 30 or 40 years old.

 

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We invite photographers to capture the sights at Kew and Wakehurst. These images are a selection of images submitted by photographers from around the world. We hope you enjoy them. You can see more on Flickr.