Brachychiton rupestris (Bottle Tree)

I was not expecting to see this unusual tree growing in the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra. It is a small to medium tree originally from the drier areas of central western Queensland and northern inland New South Wales.

The trunks of the trees are prominently bottle shaped with large specimens having a diameter up to 2m (6 feet). The tree is hardy in most areas once established and of course would appreciate some water during hot dry periods. Young trees are slow growing and make attractive and unusual pot plants for some years.

This tree is an important fodder tree for stock during dry periods. The Aborigines ate the young roots and seeds either raw or roasted.

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