Koelreuteria paniculata

goldenrain tree species

Sapindaceae › Koelreuteria

The goldenrain tree or pride of India is in the soapberry or Sapindaceae family and is native to in China and Korea. The tree is quite short (less than 7 m) with multiple stems and a dome-shaped crown.

It is a popular landscaping tree in many parts of the world because of the attractive appearance of its leaves, flowers and seed pods.

  • The leaves are alternate, pinnately compound (sometimes bipinnate), 15–40 cm long with 7–15 leaflets 3–8 cm long and with deeply serrated margins.
  • Flowers are small and yellow, with a small amount of red at the base, with 4 petals and grow panicles 20–40 cm long.
  • Fruit is a papery, triangular capsule 2.5–5.0 cm long, initially yellow-green, turning brown by late summer; capsules resemble a miniature lantern; 2–3 round black seeds are contained inside.

Contributors

  • Philippe de Spoelberch