Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm.
Goldenrain Tree
Description
Trunk, Bark and Twigs
Goldenrain Tree is a small tree reaching 30 feet in height with an equal spread and round crown. The twigs are somewhat zig-zag, stout, and reddish brown with numerous lighter lenticels. The buds are round, and the leaf scar is shield-shaped. The bark is silvery gray and ridged with flat ridge tops and reddish brown shallow furrows.
Leaves
Leaves are alternate and pinnately (or partially bi-pinnately) compound, with irregular serrations or lobes on leaflets. There are 9 to 15 leaflets 8 to 14 inches long, deep green above, and lighter below.
Flowers
Flowers are bright yellow with a splash of orange; occur on many-branched, terminal panicles 10 to 15 inches long. Individual flowers are about 1/2" wide, appearing in early summer.
Fruit
Fruit forms a papery, triangular capsule, 1 to 2 inches long, in clusters, containing three hard, black, globular seeds. Initially yellow-green, the pods turn brown later and are considered ornamental.

Images
Photo: Richard Webb, self-employed horticulturist, Bugwood.org
More images of Koelreuteria paniculataLife History
This tree was introduced to the west from China by the Jesuit missionary, Pierre d'Incarville in 1747. The trees were under successful cultivation in Jardin du Roi by 1763. The tree reached America by 1809 when Thomas Jefferson first germinated seeds sent to him by a French associate. It has since become a popular landscape tree worldwide. In China this tree was commonly planted to mark the graves of important officials, and it's often found on temple grounds throughout eastern Asia and Japan.
Habitat
Koelreuteria prefers full sun and is tolerant of drought, heat, wind. Koelreuteria is also tolerant of pollution allowing it to be used as an urban tree. It prefers a soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH, but does well in slightly acidic soils as well Koelreuteria grows best in moist, fertile soils.
Origin and Distribution
Native to China, Korea, and Japan and has escaped cultivation in ID, UT, TX, LA, FL, AL, NC, VA, TN, KY, WV, MO, IL, IN, OH, PA, NY, CT, and others within the USA.
Management Recommendations
Mechanical Controls
Seedlings and small plants can be hand-picked or dug out, though this soil disturbance can also create sites for further invasion. Cut branches containing seedpods must be disposed of properly (burned or composted).
Herbicidal Controls
To remove established shrubs, stems should be cut off at the base and disposed of properly, and then a general use herbicide such as glyphosate or triclopyr can be applied to the freshly-cut stump to prevent regrowth. Cut stump treatments with triclopyr-amine are effective but should be applied to the outer layer of bark within one minute of cutting.
