Japanese name: オオモクゲンジ（大木患子） Scientific name:Koelreuteria bipinnata
[Overview]
A deciduous tree 15–20 m tall.
The crown is elliptical.
The leaves are alternate, 45–70 cm long, and odd-bipinnate.
There are 9–17 leaflets, which are elliptical and entire, without lobes.
Large panicles 20–50 cm long arise at the branch tips and bear many yellow 4-petaled flowers.
The petals are strongly reflexed and have red appendages, and the base forms a short claw.
The fruit is a balloon-like swollen capsule, elliptical to broadly ovate, 3–6 cm across, and colored reddish purple.
The fruit contains black seeds, which are dispersed by the wind.
[Uses]
The roots and root bark are used medicinally, and the flowers are used as a yellow dye.
The seeds can also be used as beads in crafts.
[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by root cuttings.
It can overwinter outdoors in Kanto and southward.
It grows well regardless of soil type as long as the site is sunny.
