Ormosia pinnataNecklace Tree

A handsome evergreen legume of the southern Chinese and Vietnamese forests, Ormosia pinnata holds a dense crown of glossy pinnate leaves on a straight trunk and reaches 15 to 20 metres in good ground. Panicles of pale pink to white pea flowers appear in summer.

The seed is what people remember. The woody pods split to reveal hard, glossy scarlet seeds that persist on the tree, and in southern China the species is planted widely as a street and park tree for exactly that display.

Specifications

• Height15 to 20 metres
• Width8 to 12 metres
• Native toSouthern China, including Hainan, and northern Vietnam
• FoliagePinnate leaves with five to seven glossy dark green leathery leaflets; evergreen
• Growth rateModerate

Conditions

• SoilPrefers deep, moist, acidic, free-draining soils
• LightFull sun to partial shade
• WaterModerate; needs regular water and is not a low-irrigation species
• ClimateThrives in humid subtropical and tropical regions

Additional Features

• FlowersPanicles of pale pink to white pea flowers in summer
• FruitWoody pods splitting to reveal hard, glossy scarlet seeds that persist on the tree
• UsesStreet and avenue planting, park canopy, campus and institutional grounds
• SpacingPlant 8 to 10 metres apart for avenue work
• Low MaintenanceFormative pruning to establish a clear trunk, then little attention
• Pest ResistanceGenerally robust in humid subtropical conditions
• Seasonal AppealSummer flower followed by a long display of scarlet seed
• Environmental BenefitsA nitrogen-fixing legume that improves soil condition over time

The Necklace Tree is a dense evergreen canopy for humid subtropical streets and parks, with a memorable scarlet seed display.