|
The Chinese flame tree (Koelreuteria bipinnata) belongs to Sapindaceae (the Soapberry family). It is a tall deciduous tree that is distributed from southern China to northern Vietnam. It grows in sparse forests and on mountain slopes, reaching heights of 15 to 20 m. The bark is dark brown, finely fissured vertically, and peels off in scaly plates. The leaves are bipinnate compound with 9 to 15 leaflets. The leaflets are oblong with irregularly serrated margins and grayish pubescence above the midrib on the underside. Around September, large, erect panicles appear at the branch tips, bearing numerous small yellow flowers. The fruit is an elliptical, sac-like capsule that ripens to a pale red color from October to November. Compared to the species "Golden rain tree", this species is said to have weaker cold tolerance, making overwintering difficult in regions north of the Kanto area. In Chinese, it is called "復羽葉欒樹" (fu yu ye luan shu).
|