Psoralea pinnata (fountain bush)

Japanese name: ソラレア ピンナタ
Scientific name: Psoralea pinnata

[Overview]
An evergreen shrub or small tree 1.5–4 m tall.
In its native habitat it reportedly grows in moist places such as along rivers.
The leaves are alternate in a spiral and tend to cluster densely at the branch tips; they are odd-pinnately compound, 2–5 cm long, with 5–11 leaflets.
The leaflets are linear to needle-like, 2–4 cm long and 0.8–2 mm wide, pointed at the tip, and entire at the margin.
The upper surface of the leaf has a single groove, both surfaces are slightly hairy, and small dark dots are scattered over them.
Crushed leaves give off a fragrance.
The flowers are pea-type (butterfly-shaped), about 1.5–2 cm across, borne singly or in small clusters in the leaf axils at the branch tips, white with blue to purple shading.
The flowers are fragrant.
The fruit is ovate, about 4–5 mm long and 2.5–3 mm wide, ripens black, does not split open even when mature, and contains one glossy brown seed.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
It prefers a sunny location, but in regions with hot summers keep it cool in airy partial shade.
It prefers moderately moist soil that is well drained and retains water well.
It tolerates light frost.
Established plants tolerate some dryness.
Prune after flowering.

[Notes]
The genus name Psoralea comes from the Greek psoraleos, and the initial "P" is said to be silent.

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