Rain-of-Gold is a large, evergreen shrub native to eastern Mexico and Central America. The leaves are opposite on the stems, light green to bluish, smooth or waxy and elliptical to lance-shaped with two visible glands at the base. The yellow flowers are borne on terminal racemes or un-branched flowerstalks. The shrubs bear some flowers year ‘round with a heavier bloom in summer. The flower petals drop completely once the ovary is fertilized and are followed by interesting three part seed capsules. Galphimia gracilis is a popular landscape plant in warm, frost-free zones and is sometimes known by its old name Thyrallis gracilis or erroneously sold as Galphimia glauca.
Rain-of-Gold is not very particular about soil conditions as long as they are well-drained; it is very drought tolerant once established. It prefers full sun, but will withstand the shade with fewer blooms. A versatile, tough plant, use Rain-of-Gold in hedges, prune it into tree form, plant as an accent in borders and it is a great choice for mass plantings and foundation plantings.