Brachychiton acerifolius

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Plant
ID 145 Brachychiton acerifolius
Botanic Name Brachychiton acerifolius
Common Name Illawarra Flame Tree, Australian Flame Tree
Family Name Malvaceae
Cultivars syn. Sterculia acerifolia
Origin Australia, East Coast, Zone 9-12
Growth Type Tree
Bark Type Fissured or Wrinkled
Foliage Type Deciduous Water Use Low
No. of Species 12
Growth Habit Conical / Pyramidal Growth Rate Medium
Height 10 - 15 m (33 - 50 ft) Spread 8 m (27 ft)
Plant Overview
This tree is deciduous or evergreen depending on the position and forms an erect pyramidal habit with maple-like lobed leaves that are dark glossy green. The bell-shaped red flowers appear in a cluster during late spring normally without the leaves.
Leaf
Type Simple Additional Information
Shape Lanceolate
The broad lanceolate leaves have 3 to 7 deep lobes or may be entire with petioles up to 200 mm (8 in) long. It is briefly deciduous during late spring to summer as the flowers appear.
Arrangement Alternate
Margin Sinuate
Colour Glossy dark green
Size 80 - 200 mm ( 3.1 - 7.9 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Apetalous
The apetalous flowers are a waxy open bell-shaped and are arranged in a terminal panicle-like cyme that is up to 300 mm (1 ft) long, appearing during late spring. It has irregular annual flowering numbers and performs better after a dry winter.
Inflorescence Cyme
Colour Red
Size 10 - 20 mm ( 0.4 - 0.8 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Follicle Additional Information
Colour Black
The boat-shaped leathery follicle is up to 100 mm (4 in) long and is arranged in a pendant cluster. It contains yellow seeds that are surrounded by endosperm that has a honeycomb-like appearance. The pods are persistent on the tree for up to 1 year
Edible Yes
Bird Attractive Yes
Size 60 - 100 mm ( 2.4 - 3.9 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained, moderately fertile, sandy to clay loam, tending acidic, pH 6.0-7.0
Container Not normally, may be grown in tubs or planter boxes
Climate Warm to sub-tropical
Aspect Full sun to semi shade, wind protection, drought tolerant, frost tender
Pest & Diseases Kurrawong leaf tier, tailed emperor caterpillar, kurrajong weevil , crown gall
Fertiliser Native plant food when young after flowering, keep moist during growing period
Pruning Train to a single leader when young, remove unwanted branches as required
Cultural Uses Propagation
Illawarra Flame Tree is grown for its spectacular flowers and foliage. It is used for street plantings or grown in parks and gardens as a specimen. It has excellent contrasting colours with Jacarandas establishing in 2 to 3 years.
Normally there is no pre-treatment and fresh seeds should be sown when ripe or during spring. Maintain a temperature of 16 to 18 C (61 to 64 F). Seeds germinate readily and should be pot up prior to planting out.
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