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Koelreuteria paniculata - Laxm.

Common Name Golden Rain Tree, Varnish Tree
Family Sapindaceae
USDA hardiness 5-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Found by sea-shores in Japan[58]. Grows on plains and in secondary forest on poor soils in China[200].
Range E. Asia - N. China. Naturalized in Japan and S. Europe.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Koelreuteria paniculata Golden Rain Tree, Varnish Tree


Koelreuteria paniculata Golden Rain Tree, Varnish Tree

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Rounded, Vase.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Koelreuteria paniculata is a deciduous Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Seed  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Berries - roasted[2, 177]. Leaves and young shoots - cooked[2, 105, 177, 179].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Ophthalmic

The flowers are ophthalmic[178, 218]. They are used in the treatment of conjunctivitis and epiphora[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Beads  Dye

A yellow dye is obtained from the flowers.[46, 61, 178]. A black dye is obtained from the leaves[178]. The seeds are used as beads in necklaces etc[46, 61, 178].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Pest tolerant, Specimen. Succeeds in any good loamy soil[1, 11] and in dry soils. Prefers a sunny sheltered position[1, 11]. A wind resistant plant, but it does not like salt-laden winds[200]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[200]. This species is hardy to about -10°c when fully dormant[200], though the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. Grows best in areas with long hot summers, it is fast growing in such conditions[200]. A short-lived tree[11]. A good bee plant[108]. Plants are susceptible to coral spot fungus, especially if the wood is not properly ripened due to insufficient summer heat[11]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Special Features: Not North American native, Blooms are very showy.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

The seed requires a period of cold stratification. It is probably best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[200]. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in warm water. If it swells up then sow it in a cold frame. If it does not swell then soak it for a further 24 hours in hot water prior to sowing. This should cause the seed to swell but, should this fail, scarification (taking care not to damage the seed embryo) followed by a further 24 hours in warm water should do the trick[80]. Germination is usually good[78], though the seedlings are very variable[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving the plants some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors[78]. Root cuttings, 4cm taken in December. Plant horizontally in individual pots in a warm greenhouse[78].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Anhui Sheng, Gansu Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Yunnan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Laxm.

Botanical References

11200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Miranda Hodgson   Tue Jan 18 08:54:20 2005

There is a healthy semi-mature specimen of Koelreuteria paniculata, growing amongst other trees in a fairly sheltered spot, at Normanby Hall in North Lincolnshire (UK).

I've admired it many times and have been wondering what it was.

Peter Atkinson   Sun Apr 24 12:21:20 2005

There are 5 or 6 young specimens thriving in the park in front of the Auditorium in Madrid. They seem to have no problem coping with the hot extremely dry summers, when temperatures are well over 100 degrees. It's common name is Spanish is "Jabonero de China" which translates as "Chinese Soap Dish". I have a lot of seeds if anyone is interested.

Derek Leppard   Wed Sep 6 2006

There was a tree in our garden in Crockenhill Kent which produced flowers and seed in the hot summer of 1976. We brought a seedling with us when we moved to the South Coast and it has grown slowly in thin soil over chalk. 30 years on, it has flowered for the very first time this year, presumably in response to high temperatures, and we hope to propagate some seeds in due course.

Derek Mayes   Fri Nov 10 2006

There is a small, easy-to-find specimen in Victoria Embankment Gardens. The seed are easy to collect (October/early November). I have some 3 year-olds in pots in Orkney.

pauline woods   Sat Jan 6 2007

WE are interested in propogating as we have a excellent 6 year old tree in our garden. In South Australia when would we collect the seeds

Julie Hughes   Fri Sep 21 2007

I thought that this plant was poisonous therefore the comments relating to edibility may be misleading. I currently have two tree surgeons off work with severe skin irritaion caused by the sap when they removed a tree last week. I would value any further comments anyone has regarding this. JH 21/09/2007

Celeste H Cole   Mon Nov 19 2007

I have a Golden Rain Tree it's about 36 yrs old now. This year was the first time i Paid attention to the sap coming out of a small spot on it. I pulled it off and it is Hard as Glass and the color of Honey or Golden Rain.It's like a bubble Ball. So i'm keeping it to maybe make a piece of jewelery neclace with. Do you know anything about this Sap? Thank you.

Dana Harris   Fri Oct 10 2008

I have had a Koelreuteria paniculata planted for over 8 years now and it is growing well and is a large tree but has never bloomed. I am wondering if anyone has had the same issue. thanks

Pat Lowe   Mon Jan 26 2009

I had a garden with a Koelreuteria paniculata from 1978 to 2001, in Worthing about 2 miles fromthe coast. It flowered every four or so years perhaps. It lived in the shade of a mature walnut tree, which perhaps gave it some protction from frost. It died suddenly in 2000. I don't know how old it was, or how long they can live. In the 23 years I knew it it hardly increased in height at all. It was always interesting to look at with colour changes in leaves and rachemes. In flower on a sunny day it was absolutely beautiful, deserving its name Golden Rain Tree or Pride of India. On two occasions at least it had seedlings growing around the roots, some of which I gave to friends. One now grows in a back garden in Thornton Heath, and one in my current back garden in Worthing. There may be some in a garden in Henfield too, where friends planted several in about 1993.

D Paxton   Thu Apr 23 2009

Our Koel. Paniculata needs pruning. The shape at the base is in a "tripodal" form which worried the Arborist somewhat.He thought one whole part of it could come down somewhat like the fig tree. Can you enlighten us on the probability f this ? Our tree is about 10 metres high

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