Scientific Name
Sophora japonica
Common Name
Japanese pagoda tree, Chinese scholar tree

CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.

Characteristics

Family
Fabaceae
Plant Description
Deciduolus tree; leaves alternate, pinnately divided into 3-8 pairs of leaflets; flowers pea-like in terminal clusters, creamy white and fragrant; fruit a yellow or yellow-brown pod.
Origin
China.
Where Found
Landscape as cultivated ornamental tree.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
Seeds.
Symptoms
No cases known. Possibly vomiting, diarrhea, excitement, delirium, and coma.
Toxic Principle
Alkaloids? Suspected due to close relationship to Mescal bean.
Severity
CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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