Golden Rain Tree – Koelreuteria paniculata

Golden Rain Tree unripe seedpods

…Trumpet-throats open to the beaks of birds.

The Golden Rain Tree drips its powders down.
In these little boudoirs streaked with orange and red
The anthers nod their heads, potent as kings
To father dynasties. The air is rich…

By Sylvia Plath

Read the entire poem here 

In China Luan is planted over the graves of scholars, and is used as a traditional medicine and dye stuff. Since its introduction to North America (specifically the eastern part and Florida) it has escaped cultivation and is considered an invasive species. It is very attractive for its beautiful yellow flowers and its bladder like seedpods. Since it flowers young, is tolerant of pollution, drought, and wind it is highly recommended as a street tree.

 

The yellow, four petal flowers were used for a yellow dye, while the leaves produces a black dye. The seeds are used as beads in jewelry making. The seeds can also be roasted and eaten, but this is not a common practice.

 

The flowers are used in traditional Chinese medicine. They are ophthalmic, and are used in the treatment of conjunctivitis and epiphora (an overflow of tears, not from crying)

Goldenrain Tree – Koelreuteria paniculata

Goldenrain Tree open seedpods

Known as Luan in China, and native to China, Korea and Japan, it has been cultivated since 1763. The tree is planted over the graves of scholars. It is grown for its abundance of yellow flowers in summer and papery lantern-like seedpods in late summer/fall. It grows to be 20-40 feet tall with a wide rounded crown. It is highly drought tolerant and would do well as a city street tree as it also tolerates pollutants.

Used in traditional Chinese medicine; the flowers are ophthalmic. They are used in the treatment of conjunctivitis and epiphora (an overflow of tears onto the face due to improper drainage of the eye…this is not crying). It has a reputation of being anti-oxidant and anti-tumor

The seeds are edible when roasted, but not commonly consumed. The tender young spring shoots and leaves have been used as a cooked green.

Flowers used as a yellow dye; a black dye is obtained from the leaves. The seeds are used as beads in necklaces, etc.