The Sophora fulvida is a species of kowhai tree which grows up to 10m tall. It is found mainly on open or disturbed sites, on base rich volcanic rock, rubble and outcrops and amongst mixed podacarp hardwood forest.
A mixed podocarp forest contains tress such as rimu, kahikatea, miro, matai and totara. Sophora fulvida is endemic to NZ therefore it occurs nowhere else in the world. It is found in Northland, Auckland, and the Waikato. The southern most limit occurs on Mt Karioi on the south side of Raglan Harbour.