Beautiful coastal tree growing 10-15 m tall, with one or more trunks. Branches spreading to upright with moderate to dense and overlapping leaflets. Primarily a species of coastal forest, often on cliff faces or banks overlooking estuarine rivers or inlets. Occasionally found in swamp forest. Distinguished from all other Kowhai species by the absence of a divaricating/filiramulate juvenile stage.

Coastal kōwhai (Sophora chathamica), sometimes known as Chatham Island kōwhai, is one of 8 species of native sophora or kowhai in New Zealand and grows naturally in the north-west of the North Island in New Zealand.

Coastal kōwhai forms a small tree up to 6 metres tall and 4 metres wide. It generally flowers from August until November. Flowers are yellow and around 3 cm long.

Unlike many kōwhai species, coastal kōwhai lacks the divaricating juvenile stage when grown from seed.

Very hardy, tolerating dry areas, coastal winds and can be planted in full sun or semi-shade.

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