Flame tree
Brachychiton acerifolius, Fam. Sterculiaceae
Small to medium upright tree; may grow large with a straight stout trunk. Grey wrinkled bark.
Weed Category: | |
Weed: | No |
Form or habit: | Small tree, Med tree |
Family: | Sterculiaceae |
Leaf: | Simple Opposite Simple; variable from egg shaped to deeply lobed (juvenile form), 3-5 lobes, bright green 8-20 x 25cm . |
Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
Flower colour: |
Red |
Flower description: | Bright red, bell-shaped, waxy, approx.1.5cm diameter; borne in large terminal panicles. October to March . |
Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
Fruit colour: |
Black, Brown |
Fruit: | Dry |
Fruit description: | Follicle, boat-shaped, dark brown to black, leathery or woody, approx.10cm long, borne in clusters; seeds oblong with brittle hairy coating. Handle with care. |
Habitat: | Beach scrub, littoral rainforest, rainforest. |
Distribution | Cape York QLD to Southern NSW. |
Food source for: | |
Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
Origin: | Australia |
Notes: | Older trees form a rounded crown. Flowers borne on leafless branches. |
Information sources: | Beasley J. ( 2008) Plants of Tropical North Queensland. |