Koelreuteria paniculata is a small tree with a height of 5-10 m with a loose, rond crown. Also a large shrub. Large, pinnate to bipinnate leaves 25-30 cm, 7-15 leaflets. In spring the buds are reddish green and the autumn colouration is yellow.

Yellow flowers in large, terminal panicles in July / August. Pouch-like angular brown fruits that resemble Chinese lanterns; they appear after flowering and are retained for a long time.

Requires fertile calcareous soil and sunny sheltered planting locations. Solitary park tree, also for larger gardens. In this part of Europe, young parts of the crown are relatively susceptible to frost damage; when the damage is pruned back, the tree succussfully regenerates.