Sophora longicarinata is commonly known as kōwhai or limestone kōwhai that grows naturally in a limited range around northern Nelson and also western Marlborough in New Zealand. This species has quite small leaves compared to other similar species. Originally classified as a species in 1942 and then merged with Sophora microphylla it was reclassified as its own species again in 2001. As its common name suggests it grows in limestone areas.