Chillagoe Kurrajong
CAUTION
Seeds have irritant hairs.
Origin of name
Family:
- Brachychiton meaning “short coat“
- chillagoensis meaning “from Chillagoe“
Occurrence
NOT a local plant. Grows in rocky sites in monsoon forest & vine thickets, west of Charters Towers to near Cooktown.
Cultivation requirements not well known. Likely to need good drainage, & tolerate stony soil, full sun, some dryness & little protection at maturity. May suit larger pots, planters and tubs. Probably flowers best in full sun.
Appearance
Tree (4-8m) with dark bark and deeply-lobed, maple-like leaves that shed during flowering. Pink-red, bell flowers (May-Oct) occur towards ends of stems and lead to velvety, boat-shaped seed pods (~12cm).
Spectacular flowers. Bronze new growth sparkles with minute, star-shaped hairs. Potentially bonsai-suitable.
