Kurrajong

Brachychiton populneus, kurrajong, is a small to medium evergreen tree in the family Malvaceae (subfamily Sterculioideae), native to a wide range of habitats across eastern Australia, from coastal forest to inland slopes of New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. It typically reaches 10-20 m, with a stout swollen trunk that stores water, smooth grey bark, and a dense rounded crown. The glossy ovate to deeply three- to five-lobed leaves vary on the same tree, recalling those of poplars and giving the specific epithet. Bell-shaped cream flowers spotted with red or purple within are produced in panicles in summer, followed by black, boat-shaped, leathery follicles 4-7 cm long that split to reveal rows of yellow seeds embedded in irritant hairs. The species is drought-hardy and widely planted for shade, fodder and as a street tree.