Native Koelreuteria trees in Taiwan bloom, turning city streets “golden yellow”

▲ Taiwan's koelreuteria trees are in bloom. New Taipei City is bathed in golden yellow, exuding an autumnal vibe. (Photo provided by New Taipei City Agriculture Bureau)

Reporter Chen Ziying / Taipei reporting

Autumn has arrived, and Taiwan’s koelreuteria trees are in full bloom. Over 6,000 of them in New Taipei City have burst into yellow blossoms along roadsides, lifting the spirits of drivers who pass by. Later, when the flowering season ends, the sight of red-brown seed pods covering the trees adds even more vibrant colors to the urban landscape.

The blooming season of Taiwan’s koelreuteria trees is around October. As a native and unique species in Taiwan, they begin transforming as autumn approaches. On roads in Banqiao, Luzhou, Linkou, Bali, Zhonghe, Yonghe, Sanxia, Shulin, Shimen, Xizhi, Xindian, and Yingge in New Taipei City, a total of over 6,000 golden-yellow blooms can be seen.

As one of the world’s top ten famous trees, the Taiwan koelreuteria tree, also known as the four-season tree, four-color tree, bitter chinaberry uncle, or Taiwan golden rain tree, is a native Taiwanese plant that presents different characteristics throughout the year. In summer, its lush green leaves provide shade. When autumn arrives and the flowering season begins, the whole tree gradually becomes covered in small star-shaped yellow flowers, which look stunning against the green foliage. After the flowers fade in winter, bright red lantern-like seed pods hang densely from the branches, catching everyone’s eye. Once the pods turn brown and fall, spring brings a fresh flush of reddish new leaves. The Taiwan koelreuteria grows in Taiwan’s low-altitude broad-leaved forests and is commonly used as a roadside landscaping tree. Aside from coastal areas where it is less suitable, the tree can be spotted almost all over New Taipei City.

 
▲ The Taiwan koelreuteria is a native and unique species in Taiwan, with its blooming season typically around October. (Photo: left from Flower Viewing Express fan page, right provided by New Taipei City Agriculture Bureau)

The Taiwan koelreuteria shows off its autumn charm, whether along urban streets — such as the rows of these trees lining streets near Sanxia Beitou — or by rural riverbanks, like the golden blooms on the trees at Yingge No. 3 Park, complemented by the babbling stream. Both offer delightful scenes of the tree’s colorful blossoms.

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