Koelreuteria bipinnata (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)
Position: Full sun to part shade
Flowering period: Summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 20m
Eventual Spread: 15m
Hardiness: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Family: Sapindaceae
Koelreuteria bipinnata Leaf (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)
Koelreuteria bipinnata is a deciduous tree with a rounded crown. Its dark green leaves are bipinnate up to 70cm long and 40cm across. Its leaflets are ovate with serrate margins, up to 7cm long and 35mm across. Its leaves turn yellow before they fall in autumn. Its fragrant yellow flowers appear in large panicles which are up to 50cm long. Its pink coloured fruit coverings appear as a three parted bladder, up to 6cm long.
Koelreuteria bipinnata, commonly known as Chinese Flame Tree, Bougainvillea Golden Rain Tree or Chinese Golden Rain Tree, is native to south China. In its native habitat it grows in sparse forests.
Koelreuteria bipinnata Fruit (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)
The etymological root of the binomial name Koelreuteria is named after Joseph Gottlieb Koelreuter (1733–1806), Professor of Natural History, Karlsruhe. Bipinnata is derived from the Latin bi meaning two and pinnata meaning ‘feathered’ or ‘winged’.
The landscape architect may find Koelreuteria bipinnata useful as an attractive small tree, including use as a street tree. Once established this tree is drought tolerant. It will tolerate atmospheric pollution.
Ecologically, Koelreuteria bipinnata flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.
Koelreuteria bipinnata Bark (18/10/2014, Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid)
The Royal Horticultural Society has given the variety Koelreuteria bipinnata their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2012.
Koelreuteria bipinnata prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate poor soils.
Koelreuteria bipinnata requires little maintenance.
