Sign In 
Get Premium Flamegold Rain Tree
(Koelreuteria elegans)
Flamegold Rain Tree (Koelreuteria elegans)
/
/
Lauren McLaurin
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Lauren McLaurin
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Lauren McLaurin | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Lauren McLaurin | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2020-10-23T13:56:24-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Koelreuteria elegans, commonly known as Flamegold Rain Tree, is a deciduous tree that reaches 15–17 meters in height. It is native to open woodlands and forest edges in Taiwan, with the subspecies K. elegans ssp. formosana being endemic to this region. The other subspecies, K. elegans ssp. elegans, is native to Fiji. This species is characterized by its pinnate leaves and a broad, irregular crown. The flowers are showy, butter-yellow, and bloom in early to mid-summer in large, branched clusters at the stem tips. Each flower is about 20 mm in length with five petals that vary in length until opening, and contains seven to eight pale yellow stamens with hairy white filaments. The fruit is a distinctive brown-purplish three-lobed capsule that splits open to reveal black seeds.
The Flamegold Rain Tree is valued for its ornamental qualities, including its attractive foliage and striking yellow flowers. It is commonly used as a street tree in tropical and subtropical regions due to its tolerance of urban conditions. It requires full sun exposure and medium amounts of water, thriving in soils with medium to fast drainage. While it is easy to maintain, it can be potentially invasive outside its native range, so gardeners should consult local guidelines before planting. It has no major disease problems, but its aggressive roots can cause issues if planted too close to pavements or structures.CC BY-SA 4.0
The Flamegold Rain Tree is valued for its ornamental qualities, including its attractive foliage and striking yellow flowers. It is commonly used as a street tree in tropical and subtropical regions due to its tolerance of urban conditions. It requires full sun exposure and medium amounts of water, thriving in soils with medium to fast drainage. While it is easy to maintain, it can be potentially invasive outside its native range, so gardeners should consult local guidelines before planting. It has no major disease problems, but its aggressive roots can cause issues if planted too close to pavements or structures.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree
- Height: 35-50 feet
- Width: 20-25 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Fast, Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Low Maintenance, Showy Flowers, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Native to open woodlands and forest edges in Taiwan and Fiji, depending on the subspecies
Other Names
Common Names: Golden Rain Tree , Taiwanese Rain Tree , Flamegold
Scientific Names: Koelreuteria elegans
GBIF Accepted Name: Koelreuteria elegans (Seem.) A.C.Sm.