{"id":640,"date":"2026-10-12T12:06:42","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T16:06:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/?page_id=640"},"modified":"2026-10-12T12:06:42","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T16:06:42","slug":"goldenrain-tree","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/trees\/goldenrain-tree\/","title":{"rendered":"Goldenrain Tree"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Koelreuteria<\/span> paniculata<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Overview<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Goldenrain Tree is a small to medium-sized ornamental tree native to China and Korea. It is widely admired for its bright yellow flower clusters, distinctive papery<\/span> seed<\/span> capsules,<\/span> and<\/span> colorful<\/span> seasonal<\/span> displays.<\/span> Blooming<\/span> in<\/span> mid-<\/span> to<\/span> late<\/span> summer<\/span> when<\/span> relatively<\/span> few<\/span> trees<\/span> are<\/span> flowering,<\/span> Goldenrain<\/span> Tree<\/span> brings<\/span> vibrant<\/span> color<\/span> to<\/span> parks,<\/span> campuses,<\/span> and<\/span> landscapes<\/span> during<\/span> the<\/span> warmest<\/span> months<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Its<\/span> unusual<\/span> combination<\/span> of<\/span> yellow<\/span> flowers,<\/span> lantern-like<\/span> fruits,<\/span> and<\/span> adaptability<\/span> to<\/span> urban<\/span> environments<\/span> has<\/span> made<\/span> it<\/span> a<\/span> popular<\/span> ornamental<\/span> tree<\/span> throughout<\/span> much<\/span> of<\/span> North<\/span> America.<\/span><\/p>\n

Identification<\/span><\/h2>\n

Leaves<\/span><\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Alternate<\/span> leaf<\/span> arrangement<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Compound<\/span> leaves,<\/span> often<\/span> twice-pinnate<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 10<\/span> to<\/span> 18<\/span> inches<\/span> long<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Dark<\/span> green<\/span> during<\/span> the<\/span> growing<\/span> season<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Yellow<\/span> fall<\/span> color<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Bark<\/span><\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Gray-brown<\/span> bark<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Smooth<\/span> on<\/span> young<\/span> trees<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Develops<\/span> shallow<\/span> ridges<\/span> and<\/span> furrows<\/span> with<\/span> age<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Flowers<\/span><\/h3>\n
        \n
      • Large<\/span> clusters<\/span> of<\/span> bright<\/span> yellow<\/span> flowers<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Bloom<\/span> in<\/span> mid-<\/span> to<\/span> late<\/span> summer<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Produced<\/span> in<\/span> upright<\/span> panicles<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Attractive<\/span> to<\/span> pollinators<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Fruit<\/span><\/h3>\n
          \n
        • Distinctive<\/span> papery<\/span> seed<\/span> capsules<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Lantern-like<\/span> appearance<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Green<\/span> when<\/span> young,<\/span> turning<\/span> pink,<\/span> tan,<\/span> or<\/span> bronze<\/span> as<\/span> they<\/span> mature<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Persist<\/span> into<\/span> autumn<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Size<\/span><\/h3>\n
            \n
          • Typically<\/span> grows<\/span> 25<\/span> to<\/span> 40<\/span> feet<\/span> tall<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Mature<\/span> spread<\/span> of<\/span> 25<\/span> to<\/span> 35<\/span> feet<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Forms<\/span> a<\/span> rounded<\/span> to<\/span> irregular<\/span> crown<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Native<\/span> Range<\/span><\/h2>\n

            Goldenrain<\/span> Tree<\/span> is<\/span> native<\/span> to<\/span> China<\/span> and<\/span> Korea,<\/span> where<\/span> it<\/span> grows<\/span> in<\/span> forests,<\/span> valleys,<\/span> and<\/span> mountainous<\/span> regions.<\/span> It<\/span> has<\/span> been<\/span> cultivated<\/span> outside<\/span> its<\/span> native<\/span> range<\/span> for<\/span> centuries<\/span> because<\/span> of<\/span> its<\/span> ornamental<\/span> appeal<\/span> and<\/span> tolerance<\/span> of<\/span> difficult<\/span> growing<\/span> conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Within<\/span> the<\/span> Marshall<\/span> University<\/span> Arboretum,<\/span> Goldenrain<\/span> Tree<\/span> is<\/span> classified<\/span> as<\/span> a<\/span> Non-Native<\/span><\/strong> species.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Ecology<\/span> and<\/span> Wildlife<\/span> Value<\/span><\/h2>\n

            Goldenrain<\/span> Tree<\/span> provides<\/span> valuable<\/span> resources<\/span> for<\/span> pollinators<\/span> during<\/span> the<\/span> summer.<\/span><\/p>\n

            Its<\/span> flowers<\/span> attract:<\/span><\/p>\n

              \n
            • Native<\/span> bees<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Honeybees<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Butterflies<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Other<\/span> pollinating<\/span> insects<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              The<\/span> tree<\/span> also<\/span> provides:<\/span><\/p>\n

                \n
              • Nesting<\/span> opportunities<\/span> for<\/span> birds<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Seasonal<\/span> cover<\/span><\/li>\n
              • Shade<\/span> and<\/span> cooling<\/span> benefits<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                While<\/span> it<\/span> supports<\/span> fewer<\/span> native<\/span> insects<\/span> than<\/span> many<\/span> indigenous<\/span> tree<\/span> species,<\/span> it<\/span> contributes<\/span> pollinator<\/span> resources<\/span> during<\/span> a<\/span> period<\/span> when<\/span> flowering<\/span> trees<\/span> can<\/span> be<\/span> relatively<\/span> scarce.<\/span><\/p>\n

                Human<\/span> Uses<\/span> and<\/span> Cultural<\/span> Significance<\/span><\/h2>\n

                Goldenrain<\/span> Tree<\/span> is<\/span> widely<\/span> planted<\/span> because<\/span> of<\/span> its<\/span> unique<\/span> seasonal<\/span> displays<\/span> and<\/span> adaptability.<\/span><\/p>\n

                The<\/span> species<\/span> is<\/span> valued<\/span> for:<\/span><\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Bright<\/span> yellow<\/span> summer<\/span> flowers<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Decorative<\/span> seed<\/span> capsules<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Compact<\/span> size<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Drought<\/span> tolerance<\/span><\/li>\n
                • Urban<\/span> adaptability<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Its<\/span> distinctive<\/span> fruits<\/span> have<\/span> led<\/span> to<\/span> common<\/span> names<\/span> such<\/span> as<\/span> “Chinese<\/span> Lantern<\/span> Tree”<\/span> in<\/span> some<\/span> regions.<\/span><\/p>\n

                  Goldenrain<\/span> Tree<\/span> is<\/span> frequently<\/span> used<\/span> in:<\/span><\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • Campus<\/span> landscapes<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Streetscapes<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Parks<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Botanical<\/span> gardens<\/span><\/li>\n
                  • Residential<\/span> gardens<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    Goldenrain<\/span> Tree<\/span> at<\/span> Marshall<\/span> University<\/span><\/h2>\n

                    Goldenrain Tree<\/span> contributes<\/span> seasonal<\/span> color<\/span> and<\/span> ornamental<\/span> diversity<\/span> to<\/span> the<\/span> Marshall<\/span> University<\/span> Arboretum.<\/span> Its<\/span> bright<\/span> yellow<\/span> blooms<\/span> provide<\/span> one<\/span> of<\/span> the<\/span> campus’s<\/span> most<\/span> noticeable<\/span> summer<\/span> floral<\/span> displays,<\/span> while<\/span> its<\/span> papery<\/span> seed<\/span> capsules<\/span> add<\/span> visual<\/span> interest<\/span> well<\/span> into<\/span> autumn.<\/span><\/p>\n

                    As<\/span> a<\/span> non-native<\/span> ornamental<\/span> species,<\/span> Goldenrain<\/span> Tree<\/span> demonstrates<\/span> how<\/span> cultivated<\/span> trees<\/span> from<\/span> around<\/span> the<\/span> world<\/span> can<\/span> enhance<\/span> landscape<\/span> diversity<\/span> while<\/span> providing<\/span> educational<\/span> opportunities<\/span> for<\/span> visitors<\/span> exploring<\/span> the<\/span> arboretum.<\/span><\/p>\n

                    Quick<\/span> Facts<\/span><\/h2>\n

                    Common<\/span> Name:<\/span><\/strong> Goldenrain<\/span> Tree<\/span>
                    \nScientific<\/span> Name:<\/span><\/strong> Koelreuteria<\/span> paniculata<\/span><\/em>
                    \nFamily:<\/span><\/strong> Sapindaceae<\/span>
                    \nNative<\/span> Region:<\/span><\/strong> Non-Native<\/span>
                    \nMature<\/span> Height:<\/span><\/strong> 25\u201340<\/span> feet<\/span>
                    \nMature<\/span> Spread:<\/span><\/strong> 25\u201335<\/span> feet<\/span>
                    \nGrowth<\/span> Rate:<\/span><\/strong> Moderate<\/span>
                    \nSun<\/span> Requirements:<\/span><\/strong> Full<\/span> Sun<\/span>
                    \nSoil<\/span> Preferences:<\/span><\/strong> Well-drained<\/span> soils;<\/span> adaptable<\/span> to<\/span> a<\/span> variety<\/span> of<\/span> conditions<\/span>
                    \nUSDA<\/span> Hardiness<\/span> Zones:<\/span><\/strong> 5\u20139<\/span>
                    \nBloom<\/span> Period:<\/span><\/strong> June<\/span> to<\/span> July<\/span>
                    \nFruit\/Seed:<\/span><\/strong> Papery<\/span> lantern-like<\/span> seed<\/span> capsules<\/span> that<\/span> mature<\/span> in<\/span> late<\/span> summer<\/span> and<\/span> autumn<\/span>
                    \nWildlife<\/span> Value:<\/span><\/strong> Supports<\/span> pollinators<\/span> and<\/span> provides<\/span> habitat<\/span> structure<\/span> for<\/span> birds<\/span>
                    \nNotable<\/span> Characteristics:<\/span><\/strong> Bright<\/span> yellow<\/span> summer<\/span> flowers,<\/span> decorative<\/span> seed<\/span> capsules,<\/span> and<\/span> adaptability<\/span> to<\/span> urban<\/span> environments<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                    Koelreuteria paniculata Overview The Goldenrain Tree is a small to medium-sized ornamental tree native to China and Korea. It is widely admired for its bright yellow flower clusters, distinctive papery seed capsules, and colorful seasonal displays. Blooming in mid- to late summer when relatively few trees are flowering, Goldenrain Tree brings vibrant color to parks,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":224,"featured_media":0,"parent":6,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-narrow.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-640","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/640","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/224"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=640"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/640\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":641,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/640\/revisions\/641"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.marshall.edu\/arboretum\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=640"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}