Yellow Kowhai - Sophora tetraptera. Plate 28. From the book: The art album of New Zealand flora : being a systematic and popular description of the native flowering plants of New Zealand and the adjacent islands : volume 1;., 1889, Gisborne, by Sarah Featon, Bock & Cousins. Te Papa (RB001317/028a) https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/1891463?page=1&rtp=1&ros=1&asr=1&assoc=all&mb=c
Sarah Featon's illustrations include yellow kōwhai and rātā. Kōwhai (Sophora species) produces nectar-rich yellow flowers visited by tūī and korimako. As they feed, pollen can be carried between flowers. Insects also contribute to pollination.
After fertilisation, kōwhai produces long pods containing hard-coated seeds, which may be dispersed by water. Featon illustrated Sophora tetraptera, a large-leaved kōwhai predominantly native to the eastern North Island. In South Canterbury, small-leaved kōwhai (Sophora microphylla) is a more locally relevant example.