Illawarra flame tree

Brachychiton acerifolius

''Brachychiton acerifolius'', commonly known as the Illawarra flame tree, is a large tree of the family MalvaceaeThe genus ''Brachychiton'' was traditionally placed in the family Sterculiaceae, but that family, along with Bombacaceae and Tiliaceae, has been found to be polyphyletic and is now sunk into a more broadly-defined Malvaceae native to subtropical regions on the east coast of Australia.
Illawarra Flame tree - Brachychiton acerifolius In full bloom and a favorit for Neckar feeding birds. Australia,Brachychiton acerifolius,Geotagged,Spring

Appearance

Similarly to its kurrajong relatives the leaves are variable, with up to 7 deep lobes. It is deciduous - shedding its leaves after the dry season. The spectacular flowering occurs in late spring and new foliage is ready for the summer rains. In areas where the winter is not particularly dry, this natural rhythm may become somewhat erratic and the tree may flower only partially.

Flowers are scarlet bells with 5 partially fused petals. The pod-like fruits are dark brown, wide, boat-shaped and about 10 cm long. They contain masses of thin bristles that stick in the skin of humans, as well as yellow seeds. These are nutritious and are traditionally eaten by Aborigines after toasting.

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Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionAngiosperms
ClassEudicots
OrderMalvales
FamilyMalvaceae
GenusBrachychiton
SpeciesB. acerifolius
Photographed in
Australia