Taiwanese Rain Tree
Koelreuteria elegans
It is called the 'Rain Tree' because of the honeydew secretions from cicadas that often inhabit the tree, which can fall like a light misting of rain.
- Scientific name
- Koelreuteria elegans
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Sapindales › Sapindaceae › Koelreuteria
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Lowland evergreen forests, disturbed hillsides, and urban streetscapes.
- Diet
- Photosynthetic (Sunlight, water, and soil minerals).
- Range
- Taiwan, China, Australia, United States, Brazil
- Size
- 15-25 meters tall with a broad, spreading canopy.
- Lifespan
- 50-80 years
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat loss in native ranges; conversely, it is managed as an invasive species in some non-native tropical climates.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless to touch and admire. Do not ingest the seeds or leaves as they contain saponins which may cause mild digestive upset if consumed. Enjoy the shade and vibrant colors from a distance.
Koelreuteria elegans , more commonly known as flamegold or Taiwanese rain tree , is a deciduous tree 15–17 metres tall endemic to Taiwan. It is widely grown throughout the tropics and sub-tropical parts of the world as a street tree.
Photo: 葉子, CC0, via iNaturalist
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