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Native Plant Society of Texas

Eve’s Necklace

Styphnolobium affine

Other common name(s):

Eve's Necklacepod, Texas Sophora, Pink Sophora, Necklace Tree

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Grand Prairie, Western Cross Timbers
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie
Southern Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

15
to
30
ft.

Spread

10
to
20
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Limestone, Well Drained, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Very Low, Low

Native Habitat

Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Pink

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Forage, Nectar, Nesting Material

Wildlife Benefit

Browsers, Birds, Nectar Insects, Bees

Maintenance

Moderate growing rate. Very adaptable to a variety of growing conditions, but soils must be well drained or it will get chlorotic. Works well as an accent tree or shrub with showy flowers and pods. Appropriate for use near overhead and underground utilities. Can be pruned for shape as needed. WARNING: seeds are poisonous. Native habitat: roadsides, prairie, meadows, pastures, open woodlands. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms March-May. A small understory tree with compound leaves divided into 6 to 8 pairs of small, oval leaflets. Fragrant, pea-like flowers, are white tinged with rose, arranged in long clusters from the leaf axils. The fruit is a long, rounded black pod, constricted between the seeds (resembling a beaded necklace).
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonmym/s: Sophora affinis

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 303, 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=STAF4, 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Genus&taxonId=1796&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 5) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=820256#null, 6) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014. 7) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styphnolobium#:~:text=Styphnolobium%20affine%20(Torr.,are%20believed%20to%20be%20poisonous,

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Scarification Seeds can be extracted by macerating the fruits in water. Seeds must be filed or mechanically scarified with a knife. Collect seeds when the pod begins to dry and the seeds turn red. https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=STAF4

Eve’s Necklace

Styphnolobium affine

Other names:

Eve's Necklacepod, Texas Sophora, Pink Sophora, Necklace Tree

Family:

Fabaceae (Pea Family)

Characteristics
Growth Form:
Tree
Height:
15
to
30
ft.
Spread:
10
to
20
ft.
Leaf Retention:
Deciduous
Lifespan:
Perennial
Soil:
Sand, Loam, Clay, Limestone, Well Drained, Dry
Light:
Sun
Water:
Very Low, Low
Native Habitat:
Woodland
Photo Credit: Paul Montgomery
Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson
Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson
Marie-Theres Herz; Herbarium Sheet NPSOT NTX, NLCP Level 1
Marie-Theres Herz; Herbarium Sheet NPSOT NTX, NLCP Level 1
Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Grand Prairie, Western Cross Timbers
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie
Southern Tertiary Uplands
Color:
White, Pink
Season:
Spring
Seasonal Interest:
Forage, Nectar, Nesting Material
Wildlife Benefit:
Browsers, Birds, Nectar Insects, Bees
Moderate growing rate. Very adaptable to a variety of growing conditions, but soils must be well drained or it will get chlorotic. Works well as an accent tree or shrub with showy flowers and pods. Appropriate for use near overhead and underground utilities. Can be pruned for shape as needed. WARNING: seeds are poisonous. Native habitat: roadsides, prairie, meadows, pastures, open woodlands. Propagation: seed.
Blooms March-May. A small understory tree with compound leaves divided into 6 to 8 pairs of small, oval leaflets. Fragrant, pea-like flowers, are white tinged with rose, arranged in long clusters from the leaf axils. The fruit is a long, rounded black pod, constricted between the seeds (resembling a beaded necklace).

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Scarification Seeds can be extracted by macerating the fruits in water. Seeds must be filed or mechanically scarified with a knife. Collect seeds when the pod begins to dry and the seeds turn red. https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=STAF4
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonmym/s: Sophora affinis
1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 303, 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=STAF4, 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Genus&taxonId=1796&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 5) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=820256#null, 6) Native and Adapted Landscape Plants, City of Austin and Texas A&M, 2014. 7) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styphnolobium#:~:text=Styphnolobium%20affine%20(Torr.,are%20believed%20to%20be%20poisonous,

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our four host chapters (New Braunfels, Lindheimer, Guadalupe, and the Hill Country chapters) are located in one or both of the ecoregions above. However, the eastern portion of Guadalupe County also falls within the Post Oak Savanna ecoregion. Annual rainfall averages 35 to 45 inches, with higher averages to the east. A wide variety of hardwood trees are found, including several species of oaks, elms, and in the Bastrop area, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Grasses and forbs dominate in the open savannas, with most common grass being little bluestem. Ranching, agriculture, and fire suppression have allowed woody species to encroach on the once-open savannas.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason