Goldenrain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata)
Identifying Features
Plant Family: Sapindaceae
Native Range: Northeastern Asia
Leaf: deciduous, alternate, pinnately compound, 7-17 leaflets, leaflets coarsely toothed and often lobed
Twig and Bud: twigs stout with shield-shaped leaf scars and orange-brown lenticels, buds hairy with two scales
Flower, Fruit and Seed: flowers yellow in loose, branched clusters that reach 12-15 inches in length, fruit is a papery, lantern-like, three-sided capsule that changes from green to brown, within the inflated fruits are black, pea-like seeds
Bark: gray-brown, becomes ridged and furrowed with maturity
Shape and Mature Height: rounded crown, 30-40 feet tall
Garden Value and Considerations
Grows in full sun and can adapt to a variety of soil conditions. Tolerant of urban conditions and drought. This tree is noted for its yellow blossoms which appear in June or July. The interesting fruits persist on the tree for several months. Leaves emerge pink, turn green and then yellow in the fall.
Notes
Goldenrain tree flowers attract bees.