https://www.gardenology.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Brachychiton_populneusBrachychiton populneus - Revision history2026-04-10T14:18:52ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.0https://www.gardenology.org/w/index.php?title=Brachychiton_populneus&diff=10576&oldid=prevMediaWiki default at 06:11, 25 October 20072007-10-25T06:11:31Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Taxobox<br />
| color = lightgreen<br />
| name = Kurrajong<br />
| image = Brachychiton_populneus, details.jpg<br />
| image_caption = Leaf and flower details<br />
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae<br />
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]<br />
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]<br />
| ordo = [[Malvales]]<br />
| familia = [[Sterculiaceae]]<br />
| genus = ''[[Brachychiton]]''<br />
| species = '''''B. populneus'''''<br />
| binomial = ''Brachychiton populneus''<br />
| binomial_authority = (Schott & Endl.) R. Br.<br />
}}<br />
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The '''Kurrajong'''<ref>Floyd, A.G., ''Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia'', 1989, p391</ref> ('''''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]].<br />
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Kurrajong has multiple uses. Seeds are eaten by Aboriginal people after roasting.<ref> Low, T., ''Wild Food Plants of Australia'', 1989, p183</ref> 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.<br />
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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 species|invasive]] in disturbed areas. <br />
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Kurrajong is related to other ''[[Brachychiton]]'' species, including Queensland bottle tree ''[[Brachychiton rupestris|B.rupestris]]'' and ''[[Illawarra Flame Tree|B. acerifolius]]'', and the species are interhybridized by horticulturists to produce ornamental hybrids. <br />
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The specific name ''populneus'' pertains to a perceived similarity to genus ''[[Poplar|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.<br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
* Macoboy, S. (1991) What tree is that?, ISBN 1 86302 1310<br />
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==External references==<br />
* [http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1046/j.1442-9993.2000.01082.x Austral Ecology, Invasion of urban bushland]<br />
* [http://www.koalanativeplants.com.au/commerce/search/products/?product_id=brachpop&merchant_id=2056 Note on economic value]<br />
* [http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2002/brachychiton-populneus.html ''B. populneus'', Australian National Botanic Gardens]<br />
* [http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Sterculiaceae/Brachychiton_populneus.html Horticultural notes]<br />
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[[Category:Brachychiton]]<br />
[[Category:Bushfood]]<br />
[[Category:Trees]]</div>MediaWiki default