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Koelreuteria paniculata
Koelreuteria paniculata, or golden rain tree (Sapindaceae), is a drought resistant tree from China and Korea grown for its abundant late summer flowers and papery, lantern-like fruit.
Golden rain tree forms a broad crown (to 15 m) with pinnate leaves that emerge hot pink before turning green. Known as Luan in China, its flowers are used both as a yellow dye and in traditional medicine, and the tree is planted over the graves of scholars. The inflated capsular fruit are wind blown, ultimately shattering to disseminate the seeds. Naturalized in many places because of its capacity for long-distance dispersal, Koelreuteria paniculata does not spread under Vancouver's wet winter conditions.
