noun
goldenrain tree; Koelreuteria paniculata
A deciduous tree native to East Asia, known for its yellow flowers and papery seed pods. The name is usually written in katakana in modern Japanese.
公園にモクゲンジが植えられている。
Goldenrain trees are planted in the park.
モクゲンジの黄色い花が咲く季節です。
It's the season when the goldenrain tree's yellow flowers bloom.
The Japanese name モクゲンジ is thought to derive from the Chinese name 木槵子 (mùhuànzǐ), referring to the tree's seeds which were historically used as Buddhist prayer beads. The exact phonetic adaptation is uncertain.