Mallee Native Plants

I was not expecting to see this unusual tree growing in the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra. It is a small to medium tree originally from the drier areas of central western Queensland and northern inland New South Wales.

The trunks of the trees are prominently bottle shaped with large specimens having a diameter up to 2m (6 feet). The tree is hardy in most areas once established and of course would appreciate some water during hot dry periods. Young trees are slow growing and make attractive and unusual pot plants for some years.

This tree is an important fodder tree for stock during dry periods. The Aborigines ate the young roots and seeds either raw or roasted.

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These trees are very adaptable and well worth growing. With an average rainfall of 340mm (about 131/2 inches) per year, a number of species grow well in this region. While on holiday in western New South Wales last month, I found Brachychiton populneus growing in the area north of Lake Cargelligo. The rainfall there is about the same as we have here, perhaps a little more. They have a lovely dense spreading crown and are an attractive tree when not in flower.

These trees are semi deciduous, losing their leaves just before flowering. This particular species has bell shaped cream flowers, blotched with red on the inside. Young leaves are tinged with pink. They are very easy to grow and tolerate a wide range of climatic conditions and soils. Although very drought tolerant, they appreciate water during the summer. This species is frost hardy.

Because they are slow growing while young, they make excellent pot plants and are used for indoor decorations.

Further information can be found here.