Sophora flavescens coll. #HC970082

Sophora flavescens is an odd herbaceous member of the pea family in a genus that is typically known for its trees. In habit, Sophora flavescens resembles an indigofera, with 3' tall arching stalks clothed in dark green pinnate foliage. The stalks are adorned with 10" long, branched terminal spikes of creamy flowers in May and June (longer in the Pacific Northwest, where the plant can reach 6' in height). For us, its best garden use is as a textural filler, due to its somewhat open habit. Not only is it good in the garden, but if you plan to start a medical clinic, it is prized in China to treat cancer, viral hepatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and a number of other maladies that I can't spell. This represents a 1997 Dan Hinkley collection from South Korea.