Brown kurrajong
Commersonia bartramia, Fam. Sterculiaceae
Small tree 20-25m high, spreading habit, foliage in horizontal layers and young branches covered in fine white hairs.
| Weed Category: | |
| Weed: | No |
| Form or habit: | Small tree |
| Family: | Sterculiaceae |
| Leaf: | Simple Alternate Leaves with toothed margins, egg to heart shaped, 3-15cm long, dull green leaves with a whitish grey underside. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
White, Cream |
| Flower description: | White-cream cymes approximately 10cm wide, from spring to autumn. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Black, Brown, Grey |
| Fruit: | Dry |
| Fruit description: | Brown or grey-black globular fruit, 1.5-2.5cm in diameter, covered in soft bristles, 5 segmented capsule, each capsule containing 1-2 shiny black seeds, from summer to winter. |
| Habitat: | Gallery (riverine or riparian) forest, rainforest |
| Distribution | North Queensland to north-eastern New South Wales. |
| Food source for: | The fruit of the brown kurrajong is consumed by the Eungella honeyeater and the tree also provides for the larva of the banded dusk-flat, coral jewel and peacock jewel butterflies. |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | Australia |
| Notes: | Important rainforest regeneration specimen due to rapid growth and being able to survive in exposed sites. |
| Information sources: | Melzer R. & Plumb J. (2007) Plants of Capricornia., Townsend K. & the Society for Growing Australian Plant Townsville Branch Inc. (1994) Across the Top: Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. |
