Cotton tree, cottonwood
Hibiscus tilliaceus, Fam. Malvaceae
A small to medium spreading tree of the seashore and saline estuaries. It often has low interlaced branches which form a barrier to the beach. A useful tree for beach-side plantings as it is salt spray tolerant and may be pruned to shape. The close-grained timber is easily worked and takes a good polish.
Weed Category: | |
Weed: | No |
Form or habit: | Small tree, Med tree |
Family: | Malvaceae |
Leaf: | Simple Alternate Long-stalked, broadly heart-shaped, about 16 x 18cm, palmately veined, dark green above and greyish beneath due to a covering of light-coloured star-hairs. |
Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
Flower colour: |
Yellow, Red |
Flower description: | Large yellow, five petalled flowers with maroon centers, usually turn reddish before falling. |
Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
Fruit colour: |
Brown |
Fruit: | Dry |
Fruit description: | Brown, hairy, five valved rosella-like capsules, about 2cm in diameter, enclosed within persistent calyx lobes and containing numerous small dark, wedge shaped seeds. |
Habitat: | Beach scrub, beach strand, coastal dune, littoral rainforest, mangroves, saltmarsh, wetland. |
Distribution | Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales south to Port Macquarie. Also South East Asia. |
Food source for: | Main food plant of the sap sucking hibiscus harlequin bug. |
Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
Origin: | Australia |
Notes: | |
Information sources: | Melzer R. & Plumb J. (2007) Plants of Capricornia., Society for Growing Australian Plants. Mackay Branch. (1989). One hundred and one trees of Mackay. |