Brachychiton rupestris
Brachychiton rupestris
Safety & Hazards
The seeds are surrounded in the seed capsule by irritant hairs and are best collected using gloves. The tree is sometimes used as a fodder, especially in times of drought, though there are occasional cases of cattle dying as a result of nitrate poisoning[1].
Cultivation Details
A plant of the subtropical to tropical regions of Australia, it can tolerate a range of climates although it may be slow growing in cooler climes. It grows in a climate with plenty of rain in the wet season, but this is followed by a long dry season[2]. Plants can tolerate occasional frosts with temperatures as low as -7°c[2]. Requires a sunny position. Tolerates a range of soils so long as they are well-drained. Thrives in acidic soils[2]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[3, 4]. A moderately fast-growing tree if it gets sufficient moisture[5]. The bottle shaped trunk may start to be noticeable at around 5 - 8 years of age. The trees, even when decades old, can tolerate robust transplantation. Plants have survived a period of three months between removal and being planted in their new location[5].
Propagation
Seed - fresh seed is relatively easy to germinate without the need for any pre-treatment. If dried seed is soaked in warm water for 12 - 24 hours prior to sowing it then germinates easily[4]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-19. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Brachychiton+rupestris>
Pollinators
Data unavailable
References
- [1]Useful Wild Plants in Australia. — Cribb. A. B. and J. W. · William Collins Pty Ltd. Sidney · 1981 · ISBN 0-00-216441-8 ↩︎A very readable book.
- [2]Bihrmann's Caudiciforms — http://www.bihrmann.com/caudiciforms/ ↩︎An internet site giving information on caudiciform plants (plants with swollen stem bases such as the Baobab tree, cycads and many succulents). Excellent photos, usually of cultivated plants in pots.
- [3]Desert Tropicals — http://www.desert-tropicals.com/ ↩︎The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
- [4]Australian Rainforest Plants Volumes 1 - 6 — Nicholson N. & H. · Terania Rainforest Publishing; New South Wales. · 2007 · ISBN 9-78095894-3628 ↩︎Beautiful set of booklets with a terse description of over 600 species and their habitat, often including some of their uses and notes on their cultivation, plus at least one, excellent photograph.
- [5]Growing Native Plants — Australian National Botanic Gardens · http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/ ↩︎A series of articles giving details of cultivation and matters of general interest (including a few plant uses) on over 250 Australian plants.
- [6]The Useful Native Plants of Australia. — Maiden J.H. · Turner & Co.; London. · 1889 · http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org ↩︎Terse details of the uses of many Australian plants and other species naturalised, or at least growing, in Australia. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
- [7]Edible Nuts. — Wickens G.E. · FAO, Rome. · 1995 · http://www.fao.org/docrep/ · ISBN 92-5-103748-5 ↩︎Detailed information on 20 of the most valuable nut crops, plus more basic information on a wide range of other nut-producing plants. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
- [8]Wild Food in Australia. — Cribb. A. B. and J. W. · Fontana · 1976 · ISBN 0-00-634436-4 ↩︎A very good pocket guide.