Brachychiton populneus – Kurrajong Tree

Brachychiton populneus - Kurrajong tree
Brachychiton populneus - Kurrajong tree
Brachychiton populneus - Kurrajong tree

This small to medium tree is attractive and highly drought tolerant, and makes a lovely ornamental specimen.Low maintenance and attractive, the kurrajong is a great feature tree for use in a range of settings, it can reach up to 20m in height but tolerates pruning to limit size. Great as a street tree as well as in landscapes and medium to large gardens. The dense canopy of glossy green foliage makes it a great shade tree, and the cream flowers with streaked with pink or purple throats add to its visual appeal. Flowers from late Spring to Autumn, and provides a great source of nectar for bees and other foragers. Various parts of the plant provided food sources to Indigenous Australians, the roasted seeds can be eaten, ground as a coffee substitute and used in bread, and the tap root is edible, a nutritious vegetable said to be similar to carrot.

Family : Sterculiaceae

Cultivar Name:

Plant Type : Small tree

Width : 6

Flowering Time : Spring, Summer, Autumn

Soil Type : Sandy, Loamy, Sandy loam, Clay loam, Poor soil

Climate Zone : Sub-tropical, Warm temperate, Cool temperate, Mediterranean, Cool

Growth Habit : Evergreen, Dense foliage

Soil Moisture : Dry, Well-drained, Moist moderate drainage

Special Uses : Edible, Street tree, Honey producing plant

Scientific Name: Brachychiton populneus

Common Name : Kurrajong

Height : 20

Flower Color : White, Red, Pink

pH Level : Acid, Neutral, Alkaline

Plant Environment : Low maintenance garden, Drought resistant

Light : Sunny

Lifespan : Perennial

Frost Tolerance : Tolerates heavy frost, Tolerates light frost

Attracts Wildlife : Bees, Seed eating birds, Butterflies, Other insects