SERIES 31 | Episode 19
COMMON NAME | Red-flowering kurrajong |
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BOTANICAL NAME | Brachychiton megaphyllus |
ORIGIN | Australia |
HABIT | Large shrub or small tree endemic to Australia’s Top End. It was listed as the official emblem of the city of Darwin in 1988. |
FEATURES | Leaves fall in the dry season (June to October/November) when bright-red flowers burst from bare branches. These are followed by yellow-brown woody, hair-covered seedpods. |
USES | Flowering indicates freshwater crocodiles are laying eggs. The vivid flower colour is a beacon for birds. It grows to only 2-3 metres in height, but can be pruned to keep even more compact. |
BEST CLIMATE/POSITION | Tropical gardens. Usually grows as an understorey in open woodland. Large swollen roots store water and thick, fissured bark insulates the tree to help it handle the heat. |
PREFERRED SOIL | Generally grows on red soils. |
PROPAGATION | From seed |
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS | Slow to get going, but extremely long lived. |
Gardening Australia suggests you consult your local authorities or go to Weeds in Australia to check the weed potential of any plants for your particular area. |
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