Necklace Pod, Sophora tomentosa
Status in Florida: Native (specifically Sophora tomentosa var. truncata)
Native Habitat: Coastal strands, dunes, hammocks. Thrives in sandy, salty environments.
Native State, Country: Florida (and other coastal areas of the Southeastern U.S., Caribbean, and tropical regions worldwide)
Growing Zones: 9a - 11
Size at Maturity: 6 - 10 feet tall, 4 - 8 feet wide
Phenology: Evergreen
Life Cycle: Perennial
Growth Rate: Moderate
Growth Habit: Rounded or vase-shaped, open, multi-stemmed
Bloom Season: Year-round, but most prolific in spring and fall
Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
Soil Texture: Sandy, well-drained soils. Tolerates salt and drought.
Soil pH: Adaptable
Moisture Requirements: Dry to average. Drought tolerant once established.
Tolerance to Salt Spray: High
Keystone Plant: No, but valuable for wildlife
Recommended Landscape Uses: Coastal plantings, butterfly gardens, informal hedges, specimen shrub, borders.
Maintenance Tips: Little maintenance required. Can be pruned to shape, if desired.
Considerations: Attracts a wide variety of pollinators. All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested.
Hurricane Wind Resistant: High (due to its flexible branches and deep root system)
Erosion Control: Yes, especially in coastal areas.
Nitrogen Fixing: Yes (as a legume)
Edible: No (poisonous)
Pet Safe: No (poisonous)
Deer and Rabbit Resistance: High
Historical Medicinal Uses: Some traditional medicinal uses, but use with extreme caution due to toxicity.
Florida Native Companion Plant: Uniola paniculata (Sea Oats), Ipomoea pes-caprae (Beach Morning Glory)
Wildlife Benefit: Provides food (nectar and pollen) for butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Seeds are eaten by birds. Provides cover for wildlife.
Caterpillar Host Plant: Yes, for several species, including the Gray Hairstreak butterfly.
Propagation: Seed
Length of time Seed is Viable: Several years
Best month to Start Seeds: Spring
Seed treatments: Scarification to break the seed coat dormancy.
Important Note: There are two subspecies of Sophora tomentosa in Florida. Described above is Sophora tomentosa var. truncata, which is native to Florida. The other subspecies,  Sophora tomentosa subsp. occidentalis, is native to Texas and has hairier leaves.