any of several trees of erect, conical form suggesting a pagoda, particularly Sophora japonica, commonly called the Japanese pagoda tree, or the Chinese scholar tree. A member of the pea family (Fabaceae), it is native to East Asia and is sometimes cultivated in other regions as an ornamental. It grows 12–23 m (about 40–75 feet) tall. The alternate, compound leaves consist of 7 to 17 leaflets. The yellowish white flowers, about 1 cm (0.4 inch) long, grow in loose, showy clusters 30–35 cm (12–14 inches) long. The fruit is a pod 5–7.5 cm (2–3 inches) long.