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Brachychiton populneus - (Schott.&Endl.)R.Br.

Common Name Kurrajong, Bottletree, Kurrajong
Family Sterculiaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Coastal and sub-coastal areas on a variety of soils but favouring limestone[144, 167].
Range Australia - New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Brachychiton populneus Kurrajong, Bottletree, Kurrajong


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Brachychiton populneus Kurrajong, Bottletree, Kurrajong
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Pikiwikisrael

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Pink, Red. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early spring, Late summer, Late spring, Mid summer, Mid spring. Form: Oval, Rounded.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Brachychiton populneus is an evergreen Tree growing to 18 m (59ft) by 18 m (59ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to July. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

B. diversifolium.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Secondary; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root  Seed
Edible Uses: Coffee

Seed - raw or roasted[144, 154, 183]. A popular Aboriginal food, they are also acceptable to western palates, especially when roasted[193]. Very nutritious, containing about 18% protein, 25% fat plus high levels of zinc and magnesium[193]. The roasted seed is used as a coffee substitute[144, 183]. Root - yam-like[144, 154]. A popular food item with the Australian Aborigines[183]. The root of very young trees is used[193].

References   More on Edible Uses

Composition
Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food.
Seed (Fresh weight)
  • 0 Calories per 100g
  • Water : 0%
  • Protein: 18g; Fat: 25g; Carbohydrate: 0g; Fibre: 0g; Ash: 0g;
  • Minerals - Calcium: 0mg; Phosphorus: 0mg; Iron: 0mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 0mg; Potassium: 0mg; Zinc: 0mg;
  • Vitamins - A: 0mg; Thiamine (B1): 0mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0mg; Niacin: 0mg; B6: 0mg; C: 0mg;
  • Reference: [ ]
  • Notes:

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fibre

A fibre is obtained from the inner bark - it is used for making cordage, nets and dilly bags[156, 167, 193].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Pest tolerant, Specimen. Prefers a well-drained moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[200]. Succeeds in most soils, tolerating dry soils in Australian gardens[157, 167]. Plants dislike wet soils, especially in the winter[K]. Requires a minimum temperature of 7 - 10°c[188, 200]. Plants are hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[157], though this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer, colder and wetter winters. This plant is very doubtfully hardy outdoors in Britain, though plants in an unheated greenhouse survived a prolonged cold period in 1996 - 97 when temperatures sometimes went down to -8°c[K]. Special Features:Not North American native, Attractive flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest sowing the seed in spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

AUSTRALASIA: Australia (New South Wales, Queensland (east), Victoria (east))

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Schott.&Endl.)R.Br.

Botanical References

154200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

   Wed Nov 28 2007

Re:- germination poor boiling water over seeds and soak for 12 hours before planting for better germination rate. Peace Light and Sparkles Doc :-)

Margaret RainbowWeb   Tue Feb 13 2007

This is a question, rather than a comment: For many years now I have been using the colourless gum exuded by a nearby Kurrajong as an adhesive, which works quite well in dry conditions - jam labels, envelopes etc. However it seems quite bland in flavour, and since the tree does not appear to be toxic, I wonder if this gum could be eaten, and if it has any nutritional value. I'd really like any available information about this.

gabriel ochoa   Wed Oct 31 2007

I am very interested in the biological qualities and functions of this tree . I am searching for a diagram or cross section diagram of the tree. This would facilitate my study of this tree and It would make it easier to map in terms of the way in which it acts as a self sufficient entity. Also the roots would explain the way in which it can feed itself from the ground and the relationship with the leaves. thanks a lot, gabriel ochoa de Bedout Advanced architect Instituto de Arquitectura Avanzada de Catalunya

gerry collier   Sat Nov 7 2009

bonsaitreesplus.com sell bottle tree seedlings

gerry collier   Fri Nov 20 2009

I have received emails asking about the nutritional values about the Brachychiton(bottle tree). I do not know one way or the other. We only sell bottle tree seedlings for bonsai, patio or landscape trees. For expertadvice, contact Doug Sowerbuts at bottle tree plantaion. Thank you. Gerry Collier at bonsaitreesplus.com

bottletreeplantations.com

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