Golden rain tree, Pride of India, China-tree, Varnish-tree
Koelreuteria paniculata

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A deciduous tree. It grows 9-15 m tall. It spreads to 6-9 m tall. The bark is pale brown and develops shallow cracks. The leaves are long with leaflets along the stalk. The leaves are 45 cm long and it can either be lobed or have leaflets. The leaflets are 10 cm long. They have teeth along the edge. They are red when young. They then turn green then yellow. The flowers are small and yellow. They are 1.2 cm across. They occur in sprays. These can be 45 cm long. They are at the ends of shoots. The fruit are bladder like and papery.

There are 3 Koelreuteria species. The fruit are used as soap. They are also used in medicine.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is native to China and Korea. It grows in hot, dry river valleys. It is more cold tolerant than Koelreuteria elegans. It suits hardiness zones 6-10. Kyneton Botanical Gardens. Arboretum Tasmania. In Sichuan and Yunnan. National Arboretum Canberra.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Britain, China (country/location of origin), East Africa, Europe, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Russia, SE Asia, Southern Africa, Tasmania, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leafy shoots are eaten. The berries are roasted and eaten.

They are a famine food. They are eaten by children.

Edible parts

Seeds, fruit, leaves

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed.

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Luanshu, Luan tree, Pohon untai emas

Synonyms

Koelreuteria apiculata Rehd. & Wilson;