Sophora tomentosa（絨毛槐 ● hairy sophora）

Sophora tomentosa is a tall shrub species that can be found on beaches and places near the coast. The speices is rare in Hong Kong and can only be found in several outlying islands or beaches in the Sai Kung district. Although rare locally, S. tomentosa is distributed worldwide. The shrub is characterized by its dark green compound leaves with recurved leaf margins. The leaf shape and the hairs on the leaf may be used by the plant to tolerate the rather harsh conditions near the seashore. The plant produces yellowish green pods in winter, the shape of the pods gives the species and its varieties another name -- the necklace pod. I am quite curious about how the pods disperse. They seem too large for a bird to consume, maybe the pods could float on the sea across outlying islands? I will try to examine the pods next time I see them.

Flora of Hong Kong states the flowering period as mid-summer and the fruiting season as winter, but flowers and fruits are both observed during my visit to the plant in mid-December. Here are some photos taken from a beach in Sai Kung.

Plant on sandy beach

Dark green leaves

Hairy abaxial leaf surface

Yellowish flowers 

Yellowish flowers

Necklace-like pods

Necklace-like pods