Dipteronia sinensis

金钱枫 species

SapindaceaeDipteronia

Dipteronia sinensis is in the soapberry or Sapindaceae family and is native to mainland China. It is a deciduous flowering shrub or small tree, reaching 10–15 m tall.

  • Leaves are opposite and pinnate, 25–30 cm long with 9–11 ovate leaflets up to 15 cm long and with prominently serrated margins.
  • Flowers are in terminal or axillary panicles; pistillate (female) flowers have 5 petals and sepals; staminate flowers have 8 stamens; and bisexual flowers have a two-celled ovary.
  • Fruit is a rounded samara containing two compressed nutlets, flat, encircled by a broad wing which turns from light green to red with ripening.

Contributors

  • Cedric Basset
  • Paco Garin
  • Philippe de Spoelberch