Styphnolobium japonicum
Japanese pagoda tree

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Pagoda tree (Styphnolobium japonicum) is a medium to large, deciduous tree valued for its ornamental appearance and long lifespan. Native to China, it occurs naturally across Japan, Vietnam, and Korea, and has been widely introduced to Europe and other western countries, including the United States (Mu et al., 2023; Zuo et al., 2025). It is widely used as an ornamental and medicinal plant and is noted for its clusters of late-summer flowers and resilience in urban environments (Mu et al., 2023). 

The pagoda tree thrives in warm temperate climates, tolerating air pollution, heat, and drought, which has contributed to its broad cultivation in cities and parks. It prefers well-drained soils but adapts to a variety of site conditions. 

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Acknowledgements

This distribution map has been developed by the European Commission Joint Research Centre (partly based on the EUFORGEN map) and released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC-BY 4.0)


Caudullo, Giovanni; Welk, Erik; San-Miguel-Ayanz, Jesús (2017). Chorological maps and data for the main European woody species. figshare. Collection. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.2918528

 

The following experts have contributed to the development of the EUFORGEN distribution maps:

Fazia Krouchi (Algeria), Hasmik Ghalachyan (Armenia), Thomas Geburek (Austria), Berthold Heinze (Austria), Rudi Litschauer (Austria), Rudolf Litschauer (Austria), Michael Mengl (Austria), Ferdinand Müller (Austria), Franz Starlinger (Austria), Valida Ali-zade (Azerbaijan), Vahid Djalal Hajiyev (Azerbaijan), Karen Cox (Belgium), Bart De Cuyper (Belgium), Olivier Desteucq (Belgium), Patrick Mertens (Belgium), Jos Van Slycken (Belgium), An Vanden Broeck (Belgium), Kristine Vander Mijnsbrugge (Belgium), Dalibor Ballian (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Alexander H. Alexandrov (Bulgaria), Alexander Delkov (Bulgaria), Ivanova Denitsa Pandeva (Bulgaria), Peter Zhelev Stoyanov (Bulgaria), Joso Gracan (Croatia), Marilena Idzojtic (Croatia), Mladen Ivankovic (Croatia), Željka Ivanović (Croatia), Davorin Kajba (Croatia), Hrvoje Marjanovic (Croatia), Sanja Peric (Croatia), Andreas Christou (Cyprus), Xenophon Hadjikyriacou (Cyprus), Václav Buriánek (Czech Republic), Jan Chládek (Czech Republic), Josef Frýdl (Czech Republic), Petr Novotný (Czech Republic), Martin Slovacek (Czech Republic), Zdenek Špišek (Czech Republic), Karel Vancura (Czech Republic), Ulrik Bräuner (Denmark), Bjerne Ditlevsen (Denmark), Jon Kehlet Hansen (Denmark), Jan Svejgaard Jensen (Denmark), Kalev Jðgiste (Estonia), Tiit Maaten (Estonia), Raul Pihu (Estonia), Ülo Tamm (Estonia), Arvo Tullus (Estonia), Aivo Vares (Estonia), Teijo Nikkanen (Finland), Sanna Paanukoski (Finland), Mari Rusanen (Finland), Pekka Vakkari (Finland), Leena Yrjänä (Finland), Daniel Cambon (France), Eric Collin (France), Alexis Ducousso (France), Bruno Fady (France), François Lefèvre (France), Brigitte Musch (France), Sylvie Oddou-Muratorio (France), Luc E. Pâques (France), Julien Saudubray (France), Marc Villar (France), Vlatko Andonovski (FYR Macedonia), Dragi Pop-Stojanov (FYR Macedonia), Merab Machavariani (Georgia), Irina Tvauri (Georgia), Alexander Urushadze (Georgia), Bernd Degen (Germany), Jochen Kleinschmit (Germany), Armin König (Germany), Armin König (Germany), Volker Schneck (Germany), Richard Stephan (Germany), H. H. Kausch-Blecken Von Schmeling (Germany), Georg von Wühlisch (Germany), Iris Wagner (Germany), Heino Wolf (Germany), Paraskevi Alizoti (Greece), Filippos Aravanopoulos (Greece), Andreas Drouzas (Greece), Despina Paitaridou (Greece), Aristotelis C. Papageorgiou (Greece), Kostas Thanos (Greece), Sándor Bordács (Hungary), Csaba Mátyás (Hungary), László Nagy (Hungary), Thröstur Eysteinsson (Iceland), Adalsteinn Sigurgeirsson (Iceland), Halldór Sverrisson (Iceland), John Fennessy (Ireland), Ellen O'Connor (Ireland), Fulvio Ducci (Italy), Silvia Fineschi (Italy), Bartolomeo Schirone (Italy), Marco Cosimo Simeone (Italy), Giovanni Giuseppe Vendramin (Italy), Lorenzo Vietto (Italy), Janis Birgelis (Latvia), Virgilijus Baliuckas (Lithuania), Kestutis Cesnavicius (Lithuania), Darius Danusevicius (Lithuania), Valmantas Kundrotas (Lithuania), Alfas Pliûra (Lithuania), Darius Raudonius (Lithuania), Robert du Fays (Luxembourg), Myriam Heuertz (Luxembourg), Claude Parini (Luxembourg), Fred Trossen (Luxembourg), Frank Wolter (Luxembourg), Joseph Buhagiar (Malta), Eman Calleja (Malta), Ion Palancean (Moldova), Dragos Postolache (Moldova), Gheorghe Postolache (Moldova), Hassan Sbay (Morocco), Tor Myking (Norway), Tore Skrøppa (Norway), Anna Gugala (Poland), Jan Kowalczyk (Poland), Czeslaw Koziol (Poland), Jan Matras (Poland), Zbigniew Sobierajski (Poland), Maria Helena Almeida (Portugal), Filipe Costa e Silva (Portugal), Luís Reis (Portugal), Maria Carolina Varela (Portugal), Ioan Blada (Romania), Alexandru-Lucian Curtu (Romania), Lucian Dinca (Romania), Georgeta Mihai (Romania), Mihai Olaru (Romania), Gheorghe Parnuta (Romania), Natalia Demidova (Russian Federation), Mikhail V. Pridnya (Russian Federation), Andrey Prokazin (Russian Federation), Srdjan Bojovic (Serbia) , Vasilije Isajev (Serbia), Saša Orlovic (Serbia), Rudolf Bruchánik (Slovakia), Roman Longauer (Slovakia), Ladislav Paule (Slovakia), Gregor Bozič (Slovenia), Robert Brus (Slovenia), Katarina Celič (Slovenia), Hojka Kraigher (Slovenia), Andrej Verlič (Slovenia), Marjana Westergren (Slovenia), Ricardo Alía (Spain), Josefa Fernández-López (Spain), Luis Gil Sanchez (Spain), Pablo Gonzalez Goicoechea (Spain), Santiago C. González-Martínez (Spain), Sonia Martin Albertos (Spain), Eduardo Notivol Paino (Spain), María Arantxa Prada (Spain), Alvaro Soto de Viana (Spain), Lennart Ackzell (Sweden), Jonas Bergquist (Sweden), Sanna Black-Samuelsson (Sweden), Jonas Cedergren (Sweden), Gösta Eriksson (Sweden), Markus Bolliger (Switzerland), Felix Gugerli (Switzerland), Rolf Holderegger (Switzerland), Peter Rotach (Switzerland), Marcus Ulber (Switzerland), Sven M.G. de Vries (The Netherlands), Khouja Mohamed Larbi (Tunisia), Murat Alan (Turkey), Gaye Kandemir (Turkey), Gursel Karagöz (Turkey), Zeki Kaya (Turkey), Hasan Özer (Turkey), Hacer Semerci (Turkey), Ferit Toplu (Turkey), Mykola M. Vedmid (Ukraine), Roman T. Volosyanchuk (Ukraine), Stuart A'Hara (United Kingdom), Joan Cottrell (United Kingdom), Colin Edwards (United Kingdom), Michael Frankis (United Kingdom), Jason Hubert (United Kingdom), Karen Russell (United Kingdom), C.J.A. Samuel (United Kingdom).
 

Genetic diversity and variation 

Direct studies on the genetic diversity and population structure of pagoda trees in Europe are limited, and no research specifically examines wild or cultivated European populations. Recent research suggests relatively low genetic diversity, especially among cultivated varieties, with most genetic variation occurring within populations rather than between them, likely because of a narrow breeding base and repeated use of similar genetic material (Mu et al., 2023). This highlights the need for broader germplasm introduction (Mu et al., 2023). 

Genetic distribution and clustering 

Although not focused on genetics, metabolic studies reveal geographic variation in chemical profiles, suggesting underlying genetic differences among cultivars (Zuo et al., 2025). 

Gene flow 

Pollen of pagoda trees is dispersed by insects while seeds are dispersed by animals and gravity. However, high levels of gene flow occur from human-mediated dispersal and cultivation. 


The bibliographic review was conducted by James Chaplin of the EUFORGEN Secretariat in August 2025.

Cultivation and human intervention 

The pagoda tree is frequently incorporated into medicinal diets and food products due to its high content of bioactive compounds (Zuo et al., 2025). Major cultivars of the pagoda tree originate from two primary genetic sources, with most sharing a common genetic origin (Mu et al., 2023). Cultivars can be grouped into genetic clusters, but can still be genetically distinguished (Sun et al., 2016). This long history of cultivation and selective propagation, especially in northern China, has contributed to the tree’s limited genetic base (Zuo et al., 2025). 
 

The bibliographic review was conducted by James Chaplin of the EUFORGEN Secretariat in August 2025.

Threats 

The pagoda tree in Europe faces genetic vulnerability due to its narrow breeding base and reliance on a small number of Asian cultivars (Mu et al., 2023). However, the lack of studies on genetic diversity of the tree in Europe makes it difficult to determine threats to the species. Continued use of genetically uniform cultivars increases the risk of reduced adaptability to pests, diseases, and climate change. 

Management 

Management could include broadening the genetic base of breeding material (Sun et al., 2016). Introducing more diverse germplasm from the species’ native range and conducting targeted genetic studies in Europe is essential for improving resilience and ensuring long-term conservation of genetic resources. Further research is needed to inform management. 
 

The bibliographic review was conducted by James Chaplin of the EUFORGEN Secretariat in August 2025.

Further reading

NA

References

Mu, Z., Zhang, Y., Zhang, B., Cheng, Y., Shang, F., and Wang, H. 2023. Intraspecific chloroplast genome variation and domestication origins of major cultivars of Styphnolobium japonicumGenes, 14(6): 1156. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14061156 

Sun, R.X., Zhang, C.H., Zheng, Y.Q., Zong, Y.C., Yu, X.D., and Huang, P. 2016. Molecular identification and genetic variation of varieties of Styphnolobium japonicum (Fabaceae) using SRAP markers. Genetics and Molecular Research, 15(2). 

Zuo, L., Meng, R., Li, X., Meng, X., Zhang, Y., Chen, D., and Watcharin, W. 2025. Widely targeted metabolomics study of flower buds of Styphnolobium japonicum from different producing areas. Scientific Reports, 15(1): 40659. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-26305-5 

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