How to identify Eve's Necklace (Sophora affinis)

How to identify Eve's Necklace (Sophora affinis)

Eve's Necklace, also known as Pink Sophora, Eve's Necklacepod

Eve's Necklace manifests as a deciduous, multi-trunked shrub or diminutive tree boasting a height and spread of approximately 15 to 25 feet (4.5 to 7.6 meters). Its foliage is composed of compound leaves, each arranged in a feather-like pattern. Spring adorns eve's Necklace with clusters of showy, pea-like pink to violet flowers, drawing in pollinators. By mid-summer, it bears distinctive, bead-like black seed pods, typically 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) long, which persist into fall.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Tree, Shrub

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Eve's Necklace

Rosy pink flowers in clusters up to 6 inches (15.24 cm) long.

Distinctive black segmented bean pods resembling a string of beads.

Pinnately divided leaves with 6-8 pairs of elliptical leaflets, reaching 9 inches (23 cm).

Smooth stems with multiple trunks in clusters, 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) in diameter.

Delicate, scaly red-brown bark on thin trunk, prone to damage.

Detailed Traits of Eve's Necklace

Leaf Features

The leaves of eve's Necklace are pinnately divided, featuring 6 to 8 pairs of elliptical to oval leaflets. Each leaflet showcases rounded, pointed, or indented tips. The entire leaf can reach a length of approximately 9 inches (23 cm). The leaflets are typically uniform in texture and exhibit a consistent vein pattern, essential for identifying this species. The color of the leaflets is generally a vibrant green, aiding in photosynthesis and overall plant health.

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

The flowers of eve's Necklace are delightful and distinctive. These blooms are rosy pink in color and emit a pleasant fragrance. Each flower is approximately 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) long and is arranged in clusters that can reach up to 6 inches (15.24 cm) in length. These clusters emerge in early to mid-spring and showcase their beauty for around two weeks. The flowers' size, color, and formation make them a key identifier for the plant.

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

The stems of eve's Necklace are smooth and typically exhibit a coloration that ranges from light gray to brown. They are known for their multiple trunks, often growing in clusters rather than a single, dominant trunk. The stems can reach a thickness of approximately 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) in diameter. They branch out in a rounded, spreading pattern, which creates a dense and attractive silhouette. The smooth texture and the multiple trunks are key identifying features of eve's Necklace.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of eve's Necklace are distinctive black segmented bean pods, each segment having delicate hairs on its constricted parts. Visually, they are reminiscent of a string of beads, which adds to their unique appeal. The pods are persistent through the seasons and notably provide visual interest during the winter months. The texture and segmentation of the bean pods, along with their color, are essential characteristics for correct identification.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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