Styphnolobium affine (syn. Sophora affinis)
Eve's Necklace, Eve's Necklacepod, Texas Sophora, Pink Sophora, Necklace Tree
Photo by C. Stubler, J. Reimer and R. Thompson courtesy of SelecTree
Styphnolobium affine, Eve's necklace, is a small deciduous tree with showy, aromatic pink white cascading flowers and ornamental seed pods. It prefers dry, well drained soils and can take full sun or part shade. Spring flowers attract pollinators and foliage has a fine and delicate form.
Flowers and seeds are poisonous. Suckering roots.
Good potential utility as an urban tree based on evaluation of 4 trees, healthy crown, 100% survival, slow growth rate. No signs of pests or diseases found. Trees are small and heavily branched.
We got good germination, but over a very long germination period. We were only able to find few and somewhat shriveled seeds on the collection trip. The best germination was with a 2 day warm water soak, then greenhouse sown in November. Seeds continued to germinate over the next 2 years. We got no germination with 3 month old seed 24 hour hot water soak, and greenhouse sown. Seedlings are growing slowly. Future trials should include scarification with knife.
Photo by C. Stubler, J. Reimer and R. Thompson courtesy of SelecTree