Brachychiton (Kurrajong) species
Brachychiton diversifolius (Kurrajong)
This is a tree of lower rainfall areas and quite harsh summer conditions, appearing in western New South Wales.
The flowers are like small bells in this delightful bright pink colour, followed by black boat shaped seed pods. Last week there was a carpet of spent flowers under the canopy of the tree.
Brachychiton diversifolius (Kurrajong)
Brachychiton diversifolius (Kurrajong) blossom
I am intrigued by these pictures and the fact that the trees shown are described as Kurrajongs.
I grew up around Mulwala in Southern NSW and the trees we knew there as Kurrajongs are quite different, and botanically Brachychiton populneis.
Which I guess is why nurserymen etc have to use the botanical names as common names are often colloquially different.
I am interested in the cold hardness of Brachychiton in general and in particular the species diversifolius. I am growing it outside in Austin, Texas and it seems to have tolerated 28 degrees F. this winter. Thank you
Brachychiton diversifolius (populneus) and B rupestris (Bottle Tree) are both frost hardy to -7C (19.4F). The others are not listed as being frost hardy.
I am thinking of this tree on a suburban block… looks a bit big though… it is replacing a Liquidambar. Does anyone know if the roots of this tree go far (wide, not deep)?
We have a B. populneus ssp. populneus (the one with the poplar-like leaves) grwing in our garden that must be dozens of years old and 8 to 10 metres high.
Does anyone know whether these guys are suitable for creating and alley ?
Found a lovely Kurrajong growing in the streets of Kimba (Sth.Australia) has a bright red flower & I collected a seed pod & now have a tray full of babies. Can you tell me the correct name of this particular tree & how big it will possibly grow in the Mildura area. Lorraine Palmer.
Lucky you to get babies. I was talkin to someone last week about this species and they were having trouble with it. There are a couple of nice specimens in Strathalbyn, SA. There are 2 species with red flowers and a few others with pink to red flowers. However I believe Brachychiton acerifolius is one that is most commonly grown in SA with flowers that are red all over. It is said to be frost tender when young. Apart from this difficulty you should have no trouble in Mildura. Apparently they respond to watering when young, and like organic or slow release fertiliser.
There’s a stand of these near the top of Mount Majura in Canberra. Not sure if they’re red flowering … they can also throw a white blossom. They have a serious tap root that goes deep after water and the lovely thing about them is that grass will grow right up to their trunk so they make a marvellous summer shade tree in a large garden. They grow over a wide spread of country between Coolah and Mullaley east of Coonabarabran where they seem prone to mistletoe infestation. Regularly cut as stock feed in drought conditions. One of the first trees to flush in the wet season in Top End open woodland. Can’t shed any light on tregional differences. One of my favourite trees.
Am happy to call my babies Brachychiton Acerifolius…can anyone tell me how tall they might grow. We allready have one growing ot our golf club & hope we might be able to use these new ones when they grow a bit stronger. I have about two dozen of them – all healthy & fast growing.
I planted one about 30 years ago in our front garden – its a lovely tree – nothing happened for about ten years then a one hot series of days all the leaves fell off and were followed by a massive flowering – pink bells – I now have many potted trees – this year the tree is about 30 and there has been hot weather again – but only half of the tree lost its leaves and that half has the flowers again and seed pods
I have since found out that this Brachychiton is B acerifolius. Still haven’t tried some seeds.
I am so pleased to have found this site.
I am a botanical illustrator and Brachychiton has been my passion since the early nineties.
Over a thirteen year period I have travelled Australia finding and illustrating, in watercolour, specimens I picked myself.
Many Brachychiton grow in the remote, arid north of Australia.
There are well over forty species, natural hybrids and new species.
Many Brachychiton have superb red flowers and look spectacular on their deciduous branches.
I now live in the Illawarra region of New South Wales and get to see the Illawarra Flame Tree Brachychiton acerifolius in all its glory each year.
I do hope the folk above now have happy, strong Brachychiton growing from their seeds. With it’s drought tolerant, fire resistant and fodder qualities it is indeed ‘the tree of the future’.
Brachychiton also make great Bonsai.
Brachychiton are an interesting tree or since I’ve been growing from there seeds, currently have 8 different Brachychiton growing 🙂 and the bonsai people love them.