Sophora tetraptera, commonly known as large-leaved kōwhai, grows naturally only in the central east of the North Island in New Zealand. S. tetraptera has larger more widely spaced leaves than the other seven species of kōwhai, and doesn't go through a juvenille stage like others.
Regarded as semi-deciduous, it produces feathery, pairs of leaflets; 10-20 pairs per stem. Flowering begins after 2-3 years and the native birds are attracted to the brilliant yellow flowers from July, blooming profusely in Septmeber and October.
Should grow into a slender tree, with an open, graceful form to around 7x3m after a decade, but can be easily contained by frequent trimming.