Koelreuteria paniculata
Common name: 
Golden Raintree
Panicled Golden Raintree
Pronunciation: 
kol-ru-TEE-ri-a pan-ik-u-LA-ta
Family: 
Sapindaceae
Genus: 
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Broadleaf deciduous tree, 25-35ft (~7.5-10.5 m), rounded outline, spreading and ascending branches, open, reddish copper-colored foliage in spring.  Leaves alternate, compound (pinnate and bipinnate), 15-20 cm long, each leaflet (2.5-10 cm long) irregularly crenate-serrate.  Flower is perfect, yellow, 4 petals, about 1 cm wide, in clusters 30-40 cm long.  Blooms in summer, early to late, apparently the time is dependent upon climate and seedling variation.   Fruit are papery capsules (green, yellow, finally light brown), 3.5-5 cm long, in clusters, persist.
  • Sun, tough and adaptable.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 5      Native to China, Japan, Korea.  There is an upright form available, i.e., ‘Fasigiata’.
  • Caution: Koelreuteria paniculata is considered to be invasive and a threat to native vegetation in some parts of the country.
  • Koelreuteria: after Joseph Gottlieb Koelreuter (1733-1806), German professor of botany.  paniculata: with flowers in panicles.
  • Corvallis: in front of the Corvallis Senior Center, near Tyler Ave. and 26th St.
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit, spring

    plant habit, spring

  • young leaves

    young leaves

  • leaf

    leaf

  • leaves

    leaves

  • plant habit, flowering

    plant habit, flowering

  • plant habit, flowering

    plant habit, flowering

  • plant habit, flowering

    plant habit, flowering

  • flower cluster, flower

    flower cluster, flower

  • flowers

    flowers

  • plant habit, fruiting

    plant habit, fruiting

  • mature fruit

    mature fruit

  • leaves, flowers and fruit

    leaves, flowers and fruit

  • mature fruit

    mature fruit

  • plant habit and leaves, fall

    plant habit and leaves, fall

  • leaflets, fall

    leaflets, fall

  • trunk, bark

    trunk, bark

  • plant habit, winter

    plant habit, winter

  • winter twigs and buds

    winter twigs and buds