Koelreuteria paniculata

5 Nov

Koelreuteria paniculata (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 10m

Eventual Spread: 10m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family: Sapindaceae

Koelreuteria paniculata Leaf (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)

Koelreuteria paniculata is a deciduous tree with a rounded crown. Its dark green leaves are pinnate up to 40cm long and 15cm across. Its leaflets are ovate with serrate margins, up to 8cm long and 3cm across. Its leaves emerge pink in spring and become yellow before they fall in autumn. Its yellow flowers are small and appear in large panicles which are up to 40cm long. Its bronze coloured fruit appear as a three parted bladder, up to 6cm long and 4cm across.

Koelreuteria paniculata, commonly known as Pride of India, China Tree, Varnish Tree or Golden Rain Tree, is native to east Asia, China and Korea.

Koelreuteria paniculata Fruit (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)

The etymological root of the binomial name Koelreuteria is named after Joseph Gottlieb Koelreuter (1733–1806), Professor of Natural History, Karlsruhe. Paniculata is derived from the Latin, referring to the inflorescence taking the form of panicles.

The landscape architect may find Koelreuteria paniculata useful as an attractive small tree which provides interest from leaf burst to leaf drop. Once established this tree is drought tolerant. It will tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Ecologically, Koelreuteria paniculata flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.