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Golden Rain-tree

Koelreuteria paniculata

Found in disturbed areas, roadsides, frequently cultivated as an ornamental tree, rarely escaped. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Northern Tier edition What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Not native to Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 76%

Height
30–40 feet
Spread
30–40 feet
Light
Full sun
Soil moisture
Dry to moist
See native alternatives

Plant this instead

Choose your county to list local plants first.

  • Shingle Oak
    Quercus imbricaria

    Sun: Full sun. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Yellow.

    Similar growth form, height, spread

  • Turkey Oak
    Quercus laevis

    Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Dry to moist. Flowers: Yellow.

    Similar growth form, height, evergreen or deciduous

  • Overcup Oak
    Quercus lyrata

    Sun: Full to part sun. Soil: Average to moist. Flowers: Yellow.

    Similar growth form, spread, evergreen or deciduous

Refine these alternatives in the finder

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At a glance

Life cycle
Woody perennial
Leaves
Deciduous
Bloom
May to August
Fruiting season
September to October

Recorded in 16 Virginia counties.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground

Ground opened by people: roadsides, old fields, pastures, fencerows and lots.

All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

5CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including VA

Genus host records with ranges including VA · Koelreuteria

  • Anavitrinella pampinariaCommon Gray, Cranberry Spanworm
  • Eacles imperialisImperial Moth, Imperial Spiny Caterpillar
  • Eupithecia miserulataCommon Eupithacia, Common Pug
  • Iridopsis defectariaBrown-Shaded Gray, Willow Looper
  • Oiketicus abbotiiAbbot's Bagworm Moth
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim
Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Sapindaceae
Hardiness
Zones 5a–8b
Soil pH
Acidic to alkaline
Flower color
Yellow
Growth rate
Slow
Growth habit
Single stem
Foliage color
Green
Fruit begins
September
Fruit ends
October

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Golden Rain Tree

Conservation status

Virginia rankSNA
Global rankGNR
VA statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

Sources