Brachychiton acerifolius and hybrids

About 31 species of Brachychiton exist, with all but one considered endemic to Australia. Most are deciduous with the exception of Brachychiton populneus. The Brachychiton is considered to be hardy in most soils although different tolerances will be found amongst the various species. Overall considered to be a spectacular Australian native tree flowering profusely often when the tree is bare of leaves. Apart from the beauty of the tree the timber was often used in the past for shingles and fences in outback Australia.

Illawara Flame tree is one of the most underused trees in the south-eastern Australian streetscape. The few trees that can be found throughout Victoria show a tree that succeeds in many conditions. Many of the trees listed in Spencer’s Horticultural flora of south-eastern Australia are over 75 years old, and many are planted in dry, difficult sites.

Illawara Flame Tree is known for its evergreen, maple-like foliage and fantastic flower display. The name “Flame Tree” comes from the masses of bright scarlet flowers that come out just before Christmas. These flowers are frequently followed by long follicle fruits. These fruits don’t seem to have the itchy character found with Kurrajong, B. populneus.

B. acerifolius comes from disjunct populations from the Cape York Peninsula southwards to the Shoalhaven region of New South Wales, but the greatest concentration of the population is in the dryer areas of the Illiwara Range.

Brachychiton populneus x discolor 'Griffith Pink'.
Griffith Pink is a useful hybrid, which performs exceptionally well in Southern Australia with its parentage of B. discolor and B. populneus . Characterized by deep green shiny foliage with a tapered trunk, the lower reaches of the trunk are particularly free of branching that may be attractive for planting as a specimen in lawn situations. Grows to an eventual useful height of only 8 metres. The flowers are a bright pink and are borne late spring into early summer.

Typical mature height:

typically 8-20m

Useful in:

parks, nature strips, carparks

Sites for best growth:

many, including hostile