Accession Count: 1
Common Name:
golden rain tree
Family Name:
Sapindaceae
Botanical Name:
Koelreuteria paniculata
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Koelreuteria paniculata is a deciduous tree growing up to 30 feet tall with an equally wide canopy. It is hardy to USDA zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The yellow flowers have both male and female organs and are pollinated by Bees. It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Compound:
Koe pan
Geographic Origin:
China
Ecozone Origin:
Palearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
The Golden Rain Trees have caught the eye of Western botanists and gardeners since 1747, when Pierre d’Incarville, a Jesuit priest, introduced the species to Europe from northern China. By 1763, the tree was being grown in the Jardin du Roi in Paris, and in 1809 it made its first known appearance in the United States when Thomas Jefferson received a shipment of seeds from Madame de Tessé, a French aristocrat and fellow plant lover with whom he often traded plants. It has since become a popular garden ornamental and is much appreciated for its tolerance of urban conditions.
Cultivation Notes:
Golden Rain Trees are suitable for sandy, loamy and clay soils and can
grow in nutritionally poor soil. They can withstand acid, neutral and
basic soils as well. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or
moist soil. The plant can tolerate strong winds but not maritime
exposure. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.
Ethnobotany:
Koelreuteria paniculata is popularly grown as an ornamental tree in temperate regions all across the world because of the appeal of its flowers, leaves and seed pods. Several cultivars have been selected for garden planting, including 'Fastigiata' with a narrow crown, and 'September Gold', flowering in late summer. The seeds are edible when roasted, but not commonly consumed. In some areas, notably the eastern United States and particularly in Florida, it is considered an invasive species. A yellow dye can be extracted from the flowers, and a black dye from the leaves. The seeds are used as beads in necklaces.
Height:
20 - 50 feet
Width:
20 - 50 feet
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Summer
Flower Season:
Summer
Color:
Yellow
Function:
Shade
Spread:
Spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Invasive
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Hardy
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
