The Sophora japonica L., or Japanese pagoda tree, is a medium to large deciduous tree belonging to the Fabaceae family. The genus (Sophora) was named by Linnaeus after an Arab word sophero, which describes a different species from the same family. The specific epithet (japonica) refers to one of its countries of origin – the plant grows spontaneously in Japan and China. In Italy, the sophora is also found in hanging form, often forming part of ‘architectural’ features made of greenery.
