Scientific Name: Brachychiton Acerifolius
Common Name: Illawarra Flame Tree
Indigenous Use
Fibre from the inner bark used to make rope and twine and the seeds eaten after roasting then pounding.
When to Use
The inner bark can be used all year round. The seeds are typically produced in late summer to autumn, following the flowering period.
Identification
Leaves: The leaves of Brachychiton acerifolius are large, glossy, and typically lobed, resembling maple leaves. They can be up to 30 cm in length and vary in shape from three to seven lobes. The leaves are a vibrant green when mature but can have a reddish tint when young (Australian National Botanic Gardens, 2024; Atlas of Living Australia, 2023).
Bark: The bark is grey and relatively smooth when the tree is young but becomes rougher and more fissured as it matures. This bark provides a striking contrast to the tree’s vibrant flowers (Australian National Botanic Gardens, 2024).
Flowers: Brachychiton acerifolius is renowned for its spectacular display of bright red, bell-shaped flowers. These flowers appear in clusters, covering the entire tree and creating a striking visual impact. Each flower is about 1.5-2 cm long and lacks petals; instead, the sepals form the showy part of the flower. The flowering period typically occurs from late spring to early summer (October to December in Australia). During this time, the tree often sheds its leaves, making the brilliant red flowers even more prominent (Atlas of Living Australia, 2023; Australian Native Plants Society, 2024).
Seeds: Following the flowering period, the tree produces large, woody, boat-shaped follicles that contain several seeds. These seeds are encased in a hairy coating that can be an irritant, so they should be handled with care (Australian National Botanic Gardens, 2024).
Ecosystems
Found in the below ecosystem/s.
Rainforests: Sub-tropical rainforests usually consist of three strata of trees with up to 60 species making up the canopy, many with large leaves. Palms and strangler figs are common and the undergrowth is luxuriant with many epiphytic or terrestrial ferns and orchids and abundant large climbers of many species. In Queensland, rainforests can be found in well-known locations like the Daintree Rainforest, Lamington National Park, and Mary Caincross Park.
References
Cribb A.B. and J.W., Wild Food in Australia. Collins, Sydney, 1974
Leiper, G., Glazebrook, J., Cox, D., & Rathie, K., 2008. Mountain to Mangroves: A Field Guide to the Native Plants of South-east Queensland. Logan River Branch, Society for Growing Australian Plants.
Australian National Botanic Gardens, 2024. Brachychiton acerifolius. [online] Available at: https://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2002/brachychiton-acerifolius.html [Accessed 8 June 2024].
Atlas of Living Australia (ALA), 2023. Brachychiton acerifolius (Illawarra Flame Tree). [online] Available at: https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://id.biodiversity.org.au/node/apni/2890972 [Accessed 8 June 2024].
Australian Native Plants Society, 2024. Brachychiton acerifolius. [online] Available at: http://anpsa.org.au/b-acer.html [Accessed 8 June 2024].