Koelreuteria elegans (Seem.) A.C. Sm.
Vernacular name: Flamegold Rain Tree
Species Name: Koelreuteria elegans (Seem.) A.C. Sm.
Family: Sapindaceae
Habit: Deciduous tall tree
Stem: Mature bark peeling in square plates, rough, corky, lightly fissured
Leaf: Bipinnate, Laceolate, Smooth lamina, serrated margins, Tufts of hair in axils
Flowering: March-May
Flowers: Terminal panicle inflorescence, bisexual flowers, small, 4-5 unequal petals; yellow and red base, 8 stamens, hairy filaments
Fruit: 3 valved Capsule enclosed in reddish-white papery pod
Uses:
- It is planted as an avenue tree due to its ornamental bright yellow summer flowers and pinkish-red lantern like seed capsules and its tolerance for poor soil and dry conditions.
- The wood becomes brittle as it ages and hence the tree is susceptible to uprooting in storms.
- Traditional medicines in many regions uses various parts of plants and their extracts for their antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Regionally, seeds are crushed to be used as insecticide.
- A black dye is extracted from boiled leaf preparation of this plant in Fiji that can be used for hair.
- Seeds are used to extract oil that is used as lubricant in soaps.
- Plant can tolerate soil contaminated with heavy metals and help remediate of such areas.
