Brachychiton acerifolius

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Brachychiton acerifolius
Illawarra Flame Tree (Brachychiton acerifolius).jpg
In full flower at
Wagga Wagga, NSW
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Brachychiton
Species:
B. acerifolius
Binomial name
Brachychiton acerifolius
Synonyms [3]
  • Brachychiton acerifoliusMacarthur & C.Moore
  • Brachychiton acerifolius var. typicumTerrac.
  • Clompanus acerifolia(G.Don) Kuntze
  • Sterculia acerifoliaA.Cunn. ex G.Don

Brachychiton acerifolius is a large tree of the family Malvaceae endemic to tropical and subtropical regions on the east coast of Australia. It is famous for the bright red bell-shaped flowers that often cover the whole tree when it is leafless. It is commonly known as the flame tree, Illawarra flame tree, lacebark tree, or (along with other members of the genus) kurrajong.

Description

This species is a large deciduous tree which forms a pyramidal habit. [4] It may reach 30 to 35 m (98 to 115 ft) in height in its natural habitat, but is usually shorter in cultivation. [5] The trunk is smoothly cylindrical and green or grey-green in colour, often tapering unbranched to the very tip of the tree. Leaves have long petioles [6] and measure up to 30 cm (12 in) x 25 cm (9.8 in), are glossy green, glabrous, simple, alternate, and highly variable in shape - they may be entire and ovate or up to 5-lobed. [3] [7]

Flowers are bright red or scarlet in colour, bell-shaped when viewed from the side and star-shaped when viewed end-on, about 25 to 30 mm (0.98 to 1.18 in) long by 16 to 22 mm (0.63 to 0.87 in) wide, and are produced on large panicles. [7] They have five petals, fused at the base and free at the ends. The ensuing fruits are a dehiscent pod which is dark brown, leathery, boat-shaped and about 10 cm (3.9 in) long. They ripen around May to August in Australia, [4] [7] splitting along one side to reveal two rows of yellow seeds numbering 12–26, each around 10 by 5 mm (0.39 by 0.20 in) and surrounded by a papery aril covered in stiff hairs which are very irritating if touched. [8]

Distribution and habitat

Brachychiton acerifolius is found in well developed coastal rainforests from southern New South Wales to far north Queensland. In Cape York Peninsula and north east Queensland the altitudinal range is from sea level to 1,000 m (3,300 ft). It also grows in drier, more seasonal forests. [3]

Cultivation and uses

B. acerifolius is very popular as an ornamental tree both in its native Australia and around the world. [3] [7] The flowering is a spectacular event, as it sheds its leaves just prior to producing masses of bright scarlet flowers over the entire tree. It is used for street plantings, public parks and gardens, and in private gardens. [4] It is easily grown and may be propagated from seed, cuttings, or by grafting. [7] [9]

In the New South Wales local government area of Northern Beaches, the Illawarra Flame Tree is included in a list of trees that are exempt from the need to request Council's consent prior to removal. [10]

The seeds of Brachychiton species are edible - Indigenous Australians ate them either raw or roasted, after removing the irritating hairs that surround them in the pod. They are nutritious, containing 18% protein and 25% fat with high levels of zinc and magnesium. They also ate the roots of young trees. [9] [11]

Ecology

This species is a host plant for the larvae of the pencilled blue, shining pencil-blue, common aeroplane and tailed emperor butterflies. [3] The seeds are eaten by Australian king parrots and the Regent and Satin bowerbirds. [8]

Taxonomy

The genus Brachychiton was traditionally placed in the family Sterculiaceae, but that family, along with Bombacaceae and Tiliaceae, has been found to be polyphyletic and is now sunk into a more broadly-defined Malvaceae. [12]

Brachychiton acerifolius was first described in 1855 by W. Macarthur and C. Moore. [13] It is sometimes spelled as Brachychiton acerifolium, under the assumption that the genus name Brachychiton is (Greek) neuter. In fact, Brachychiton is masculine (it is a bahuvrihi, and its first component is the descriptive component), and hence the correct species epithet is acerifolius. The name Brachychiton is derived from the Greek brachys, meaning short, and chiton, a type of tunic, as a reference to the coating on the seed. The specific epithet acerifolius suggests the appearance of the foliage is similar to that of the genus Acer, the maples.

In his landmark Flora Australiensis , English botanist George Bentham published the first key for the nine described species of Brachychiton, and relegated them to a section of Sterculia . [14] Hence the Illawarra flame tree became Sterculia acerifolia. [15] Von Mueller maintained his recognition of Brachychiton as a separate genus. [14] German botanist Otto Kuntze challenged the generic name Sterculia in 1891, on the grounds that the name Clompanus took precedence. He republished the Illawarra flame tree as Clompanus Haenkeana. [16]

Related Research Articles

Sterculiaceae was a family of flowering plant based on the genus Sterculia. Genera formerly included in Sterculiaceae are now placed in the family Malvaceae, in the subfamilies: Byttnerioideae, Dombeyoideae, Helicteroideae and Sterculioideae.

<i>Brachychiton</i> Genus of flowering plants

Brachychiton is a genus of 31 species of trees and large shrubs, native to Australia and New Guinea. Fossils from New South Wales and New Zealand are estimated to be 50 million years old, corresponding to the Paleogene.

<i>Castanospermum</i> Genus of legumes

Castanospermum is a monotypic genus in the legume family Fabaceae. The sole species is Castanospermum australe, commonly known as Moreton Bay chestnut or black bean, which is native to rainforested areas on the east coast of Queensland and northeastern New South Wales, and to the southwest Pacific islands of Vanuatu and New Caledonia

<i>Sterculia</i> Genus of flowering plants

Sterculia is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae: subfamily Sterculioideae. Members of the genus are colloquially known as tropical chestnuts. Sterculia may be monoecious or dioecious, and its flowers unisexual or bisexual.

<i>Sterculia quadrifida</i> Species of plant in the family Malvaceae

Sterculia quadrifida, also known as the peanut tree, monkey nut or red-fruited kurrajong is a small tree that grows in the rainforests, vine thickets, and gallery forests of New Guinea and northern Australia.

<i>Banksia praemorsa</i> Species of shrub in the family Proteaceae native to Western Australia

Banksia praemorsa, commonly known as the cut-leaf banksia, is a species of shrub or tree in the plant genus Banksia. It occurs in a few isolated populations on the south coast of Western Australia between Albany and Cape Riche.

<i>Brachychiton rupestris</i> Tree in the family Malvaceae native to Queensland, Australia

Brachychiton rupestris is a tree in the family Malvaceae, endemic to Queensland, Australia. Described by Sir Thomas Mitchell and John Lindley in 1848, it earned its name from its bulbous trunk, which can be up to 3.5 metres (11 ft) in diameter at breast height (DBH). Reaching around 10–25 metres (33–82 ft) high, the Queensland bottle tree is deciduous, losing its leaves seasonally, between September and December. The leaves are simple or divided, with one or more narrow leaf blades up to 11 centimetres (4 in) long and 2 centimetres (0.8 in) wide. Cream-coloured flowers appear from September to November, and are followed by woody, boat-shaped follicles that ripen from November to May. No subspecies are recognised.

<i>Brachychiton populneus</i> Species of tree

Brachychiton populneus, commonly known as the kurrajong, 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. Carrejun and carrejan were the indigenous names of trees in the foothills of the Blue Mountains near Sydney, and the bark was used for twine and fishing lines. The extended trunk is a water storage device for survival in a warm dry climate. The bell-shaped flowers are variable in colour 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.

<i>Semecarpus australiensis</i> Species of tree in the family Anacardiaceae

Semecarpus australiensis, commonly known as the tar tree, native cashew, marking nut, or cedar plum, is a species of tree in the cashew, sumac and mango family Anacardiaceae, native to parts of Melanesia and northern Australia. Contact with the plant can cause serious allergic reactions, a common characteristic of this family.

<i>Gmelina leichhardtii</i> Species of tree

Gmelina leichhardtii, the white beech, is a tree of eastern Australia. Scattered individuals or small groups of trees naturally occur from the Illawarra district of New South Wales to near Proserpine in tropical Queensland. The white beech or grey teak is a fast-growing tree, growing on volcanic and alluvial soils in areas of moderate to high rainfall. It also grows on poorer sedimentary soils in fire free areas. White beech may occasionally be seen in Australian rainforests, though their status is considered "uncommon". Unlike the Australian red cedar, the white beech has not recovered particularly well after logging in the 19th and 20th centuries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sterculioideae</span> Subfamily of trees and shrubs

Sterculioideae is a subfamily of the family Malvaceae containing evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs.

<i>Xanthostemon chrysanthus</i> Species of plant in the family Myrtaceae

Xanthostemon chrysanthus, commonly known as golden penda, is a species of tree in the myrtle family Myrtaceae which is endemic to north eastern Queensland, Australia. It is a popular garden plant with showy yellow blooms, and is the floral emblem of the city of Cairns.

<i>Brachychiton gregorii</i> Species of plant

Brachychiton gregorii, commonly known as the desert kurrajong, is a small tree of the genus Brachychiton found in northern and western Australia. It was originally classified in the family Sterculiaceae, which is now within Malvaceae.

<i>Helicia glabriflora</i> Species of plant in the family Proteaceae from eastern Australia

Helicia glabriflora is a species of rainforest shrubs or small trees occurring in eastern Australia. Common names include smooth or pale helicia, pale, leather or brown oak. They grow naturally in a variety of different rainforest types from the Illawarra, New South Wales to the Townsville area, Queensland. Of all the global diversity of approximately one hundred Helicia species, this one species naturally grows the furthest south, in the Minnamurra Rainforest and the Robertson area, Illawarra, New South Wales, there observed more on the relatively fertile basalt and alluvial soils.

<i>Brachychiton megaphyllus</i> Species of tree

Brachychiton megaphyllus, commonly known as the red-flowering kurrajong, is a tree of the genus Brachychiton found in northern Australia.

<i>Sterculia urens</i> Species of tree

Sterculia urens is a species of plant in the family Malvaceae. It is native to India and has been introduced into Burma. A small to medium-sized tree with a pale-coloured trunk, it is commonly known as the bhutyā in Marathi, kulu, Indian tragacanth, gum karaya, katira, sterculia gum or kateera gum. The specific name urens refers to the stinging hairs present on the flowers.

<i>Brachychiton</i> sp. Ormeau Species of tree

Brachychiton sp. Ormeau is a rare and endangered rainforest tree found in Queensland, Australia.

<i>Brachychiton viscidulus</i> Species of plant

Brachychiton viscidulus is a plant in the Malvaceae family, native to Western Australia.

<i>Cleistanthus apodus</i> Species of plant in the family Phyllanthaceae

Cleistanthus apodus, commonly known as the weeping Cleistanthus, is a tree in the family Phyllanthaceae native to New Guinea and northeast Queensland. It was first described in 1873 by the English botanist George Bentham in his seven-volume book Flora Australiensis.

<i>Sterculia shillinglawii</i> Species of plant in the family Malvaceae

Sterculia shillinglawii, commonly known as tulip sterculia or lacewood, is a tree in the family Malvaceae which is native to Papuasia and northeastern Australia.

References

  1. ↑ "APC format - Brachychiton acerifolius". Australian Plant Census, (APC). Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  2. ↑ "Brachychiton acerifolius". International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries; Australian National Botanic Gardens . Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Brachychiton acerifolius". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australian Government . Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 "Brachychiton acerifolius". PlantFile. PlantFileonlie.
  5. ↑ "Brachychiton acerifolius". Australian Native Plants Society (Australia) (ANPSA). Australian Native Plants Society (Australia). Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  6. ↑ "Brachychiton acerifolius (A.Cunn. ex G.Don) F.Muell". PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System). Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Jones, David L. (1986). Rainforest Plants of Australia. Sydney, Australia: Reed Books. p. 198. ISBN   0-7301-0381-1.
  8. 1 2 Cooper, Wendy; Cooper, William (2004). Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions. p. 528. ISBN   0-9581742-1-0.
  9. 1 2 "Brachychitons, the Australian Bottle Trees". Dave's Garden. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  10. ↑ "Exempt Tree Species List | Northern Beaches Council". 19 November 2019.
  11. ↑ Low, Tim (1991). Wild Food Plants of Australia (Revised ed.). Pymble, NSW: Collins Angus & Robertson Publishers Pty Limited. p. 183. ISBN   0-207-16930-6.
  12. ↑ Stevens, Peter F. (29 January 2015). "Angiosperm Phylogeny Website" . Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  13. ↑ "Brachychiton acerifolius (A.Cunn. ex G.Don) Macarthur & C.Moore". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  14. 1 2 Guymer, Gordon Paul (1988). "A taxonomic revision of Brachychiton (Sterculiaceae)". Australian Systematic Botany. 1 (3): 199–323. doi:10.1071/SB9880199.
  15. ↑ Bentham, George (1863). "Sterculia". Flora Australiensis: Volume 1: Ranunculaceae to Anacardiaceae. Vol. 1. London, United Kingdom: L. Reeve & Co. p. 229.
  16. ↑ Kuntze, Otto (1891). Revisio generum plantarum:vascularium omnium atque cellularium multarum secundum leges nomenclaturae internationales cum enumeratione plantarum exoticarum in itinere mundi collectarum. Vol. 1. Leipzig, Germany: A. Felix. p. 78.
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