Brachychiton populneus

taxobox
name = Kurrajong


image_caption = Leaf and flower details
regnum = Plantae
unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
unranked_classis = Eudicots
unranked_ordo = Rosids
ordo = Malvales
familia = Malvaceae
genus = "Brachychiton"
species = "B. populneus"
binomial = "Brachychiton populneus"
binomial_authority = (Schott & Endl.) R. Br.|

The Kurrajong [Floyd, A.G., "Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia", 1989, p391] ("Brachychiton populneus") is a small to medium sized tree found naturally in Australia in a diversity of habitats from wetter coastal districts to semi-arid interiors of Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. The extended trunk is a water storage devise for survival in a warm dry climate. The bell-shaped flowers are variable in colour (pale to pink) while the leaves vary considerably in shape. The leaves are either simple and pointed, or may be 3 - 9 lobed. Saplings grow from a drought and fire resistant tap-rooted tuber.

Kurrajong has multiple uses. Seeds are eaten by Aboriginal people after roasting. [ Low, T., "Wild Food Plants of Australia", 1989, p183] The soft spongy wood was used for making shields, and the bark as a fibre. The leaves are also used as emergency fodder for drought effected animal stock.

It has been introduced as an ornamental tree to south-western Australia, South Africa, Louisiana, California and Arizona. In Western Australia it was observed to be invasive in disturbed areas.

"B. populneus" is related to other "Brachychiton" species, including Queensland bottle tree ("B. rupestris") and the Illawarra Flame Tree ("B. acerifolius"), and the species are hybridised by horticulturists to produce ornamental hybrids.

The specific name "populneus" pertains to a perceived similarity to genus "Populus", the Poplars. Sometimes "B. populneus" is also known by the misnomers of "lacebark kurrajong" and "bottle tree" (USA), but these are the common names for other species in Australia.

References

* Macoboy, S. (1991) What tree is that?, ISBN 1 86302 1310

External references

* [http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1046/j.1442-9993.2000.01082.x Austral Ecology, Invasion of urban bushland]
* [http://www.koalanativeplants.com.au/commerce/search/products/?product_id=brachpop&merchant_id=2056 Note on economic value]
* [http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2002/brachychiton-populneus.html "B. populneus", Australian National Botanic Gardens]
* [http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Sterculiaceae/Brachychiton_populneus.html Horticultural notes]