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Glite Dictionary
Sophora japonica

Sophora japonica

9.4
A tree from China and Japan with dark green leaves and clusters of fragrant creamy-white flowers
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Sophora japonica
  • Traditional healers in Asia have used Sophora japonica for centuries for various purposes.

Examples

  • The Sophora japonica in the garden bloomed impressively this summer.

  • The Sophora japonica tree blooms beautifully in the spring.

  • A line of mature Sophora japonica trees provided welcome shade along the avenue.

  • Many gardeners love the Sophora japonica for its fragrant flowers.

  • The Sophora japonica is often admired for its stunning clusters of creamy-white flowers.

  • Many parks in Japan feature the Sophora japonica, showcasing its round crown and lush leaves.

  • During summer, the fragrant blooms of the Sophora japonica attract numerous pollinators.

Synonyms

Japanese pagoda tree
vsSophora japonica
9.6

A tree with dark green divided leaves and clusters of creamy-white fragrant flowers

is the formal scientific name used for that same species
Sophora sinensis
vsSophora japonica
  • Specialized
9.9

A tree from China and Japan with a rounded top, dark green leaves, and many fragrant creamy-white flowers

is the accepted scientific label rather than a descriptive common name
Chinese scholar tree
vsSophora japonica
9.3

A tree that loses its leaves and has dark green leaf groups and creamy-white fragrant flowers

is the scientific term rather than an informal or descriptive label
Chinese scholartree
vsSophora japonica
9.9

A tree from China and Japan that loses its leaves and has dark green leaves and fragrant white flower clusters

is the standard scientific name, not a spelling variant of the common name

Surface Forms

Sophora japonica singular
Sophora japonicas plural

Morphology

Sophora + japonica

This is a taxonomic binomial: the genus name 'Sophora' plus the Latin adjective 'japonica' (meaning 'of Japan'). A learner who knows both constituents can compositionally infer it denotes the Sophora species associated with Japan; scientific Latin binomials follow a regular, cross-linguistic naming pattern. Detailed botanical traits (deciduous, flowers) are not encoded in the name itself, but the basic identity as a Japanese Sophora is directly derivable.

Etymology

Sophora japonica is the scientific name that joins the old name Sophora with japonica, which means 'from Japan'. So the name simply points to this kind of tree that comes from Japan and nearby China and is known for its round crown and creamy-white flowers.