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{{short description|Species of plant}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Speciesbox
{{taxobox
|name = Desert kurrajong
|name = Desert kurrajong
|image = Brachychiton gregorii habit.jpg
|image = Brachychiton gregorii habit.jpg
⚫
|genus = Brachychiton
|regnum = [[Plantae]]
⚫
|species = gregorii
|unranked_divisio = [[Angiosperms]]
|unranked_classis = [[Eudicots]]
|authority = [[F.Muell.]], 1862
⚫
}}
|unranked_ordo = [[Rosids]]
[[File:Brachychiton gregorii foliage.jpg|thumb|''Brachychiton gregorii'' foliage]]
|ordo = [[Malvales]]
[[File:Brachychiton gregorii fruit.jpg|thumb|''Brachychiton gregorii'' fruit]]
|familia = [[Malvaceae]]{{efn|1=The genus ''Brachychiton'' was traditionally placed in the family [[Sterculiaceae]], but that family, along with [[Bombacaceae]] and [[Tiliaceae]], has been found to be [[Polyphyly|polyphyletic]] and is now sunk into a more broadly-defined [[Malvaceae]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/research/APweb/|title=Angiosperm Phylogeny Website|last=Stevens|first=Peter F.|authorlink=Peter F. Stevens|date=29 January 2015|accessdate=6 February 2015}}</ref>}}
⚫
|genus = ''[[Brachychiton]]''
⚫
|species = '''''B. gregorii'''''
|binomial = ''Brachychiton gregorii''
|binomial_authority = [[F.Muell.]], 1862
⚫
|}}


'''''Brachychiton gregorii''''', commonly known as the '''desert kurrajong''',<ref name=FloraBase/><ref name=sas/> is a small tree of the genus ''[[Brachychiton]]'' found in northern and western Australia.<ref>{{APNI | name = Brachychiton gregorii | id = 9605}}</ref> It was originally classified in the family [[Sterculiaceae]], which is now within [[Malvaceae]].
'''''Brachychiton gregorii''''', commonly known as the '''desert kurrajong''',<ref name=FloraBase/><ref name=sas/> is a small tree of the genus ''[[Brachychiton]]'' found in northern and western Australia.<ref>{{APNI | name = Brachychiton gregorii | id = 9605}}</ref> It was originally classified in the family [[Sterculiaceae]], which is now within [[Malvaceae]].{{efn|1=The genus ''Brachychiton'' was traditionally placed in the family [[Sterculiaceae]], but that family, along with [[Bombacaceae]] and [[Tiliaceae]], has been found to be [[Polyphyly|polyphyletic]] and is now sunk into a more broadly-defined [[Malvaceae]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/research/APweb/|title=Angiosperm Phylogeny Website|last=Stevens|first=Peter F.|author-link=Peter F. Stevens|date=29 January 2015|access-date=6 February 2015}}</ref>}}

⚫
==Description==
⚫
The tree typically grows to a height of around {{convert|3|to|12|m|ft|0}}<ref name=FloraBase/> with a canopy width of around {{convert|2|to|5|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name=anp/> The evergreen leaves reach to {{convert|20|cm|in|0}} in length and have three or five lobes in a long stalk. The leaves are shed in the dry months. It flowers between October and December producing [[inflorescence]]s with bell-shaped pale-yellow flowers with a reddish margin. Following flowering black woody [[seed pod]]s form that are up to around to {{convert|5|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} in length and contain many seeds.<ref name=sas/>


==Taxonomy==
==Taxonomy==
The species was first formally described by the botanist [[Ferdinand von Mueller]] in 1862 as part of the work ''Thalamiflorae. The Plants Indigenous to the Colony of Victoria''. Several synonyms exist for the plant including; ''Clompanus gregorii'', ''Brachychiton acerifolius'' var. ''gregorii'', ''Sterculia diversifolia'' var. ''occidentalis'', ''Sterculia gregorii'' and ''Brachychiton populneus'' var. ''occidentalis''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bie.ala.org.au/species/http://id.biodiversity.org.au/node/apni/2889211#names|title=''Brachychiton gregorii'' F.Muell.|accessdate=17 September 2018|work=Atlas of Living Australia|publisher=[[Global Biodiversity Information Facility]]}}</ref>
The species was first formally described by the botanist [[Ferdinand von Mueller]] in 1862 as part of the work ''Thalamiflorae. The Plants Indigenous to the Colony of Victoria''. Several synonyms exist for the plant including; ''Clompanus gregorii'', ''Brachychiton acerifolius'' var. ''gregorii'', ''Sterculia diversifolia'' var. ''occidentalis'', ''Sterculia gregorii'' and ''Brachychiton populneus'' var. ''occidentalis''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bie.ala.org.au/species/http://id.biodiversity.org.au/node/apni/2889211#names|title=''Brachychiton gregorii'' F.Muell.|access-date=17 September 2018|work=Atlas of Living Australia|publisher=[[Global Biodiversity Information Facility]]}}</ref>
The species name honours the explorer [[Augustus Charles Gregory]] who later became surveyor-general.<ref name=sas>{{cite web|url=http://saseedbank.com.au/species_information.php?rid=727|title=''Brachychiton gregorii'' (Sterculiaceae) Desert Kurrajong|accessdate=17 September 2018|work=Seeds of South Australia|publisher=Government of South Australia}}</ref>
The species name honours the explorer [[Augustus Charles Gregory]] who later became surveyor-general.<ref name=sas>{{cite web|url=http://saseedbank.com.au/species_information.php?rid=727|title=''Brachychiton gregorii'' (Sterculiaceae) Desert Kurrajong|access-date=17 September 2018|work=Seeds of South Australia|publisher=Government of South Australia}}</ref>

⚫
==Description==
⚫
The tree typically grows to a height of around {{convert|3|to|12|m|ft|0}}<ref name=FloraBase/> with a canopy width of around {{convert|2|to|5|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name=anp/> The evergreen leaves reach up to {{convert|20|cm|in|0}} in length and have three or five lobes on a long stalk. The leaves are shed in the dry months. It flowers between October and December producing [[inflorescence]]s with bell-shaped pale-yellow flowers with a reddish margin. Following flowering black woody [[seed pod]]s form that are up to around to {{convert|5|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} in length and contain many seeds.<ref name=sas/>


==Distribution==
==Distribution==
It has a scattered distribution in arid areas including the north western corner of [[South Australia]] where it is found on rock ridges, slopes and sand dunes. It is also found in the [[Northern Territory]]<ref name=sas/> and [[Western Australia]] where it is scattered throughout the [[Goldfields-Esperance|Goldfields]], [[Pilbara]] and [[Mid West (Western Australia)|Mid West]] regions where it grows in red sandy or loamy soils.<ref name=FloraBase>{{FloraBase|title=''Brachychiton gregorii''|id=4999}}</ref>
It has a scattered distribution in arid areas including the north western corner of [[South Australia]] where it is found on rock ridges, slopes and sand dunes. It is also found in the [[Northern Territory]]<ref name=sas/> and [[Western Australia]] where it is scattered throughout the [[Goldfields-Esperance|Goldfields]], [[Pilbara]] and [[Mid West (Western Australia)|Mid West]] regions on red sandy or loamy soils.<ref name=FloraBase>{{FloraBase|title=''Brachychiton gregorii''|id=4999}}</ref>

==Ecology==
Within its range, this tree is often associated with [[Granite outcrops of Western Australia| granite outcrop]]s. The mistletoe ''[[Amyema benthamii]]'' is often found as a parasite on this species, introduced by a bird wiping its defecation on a branch, and this is eaten by the caterpillar phase of the moth species ''[[Comocrus behri]]''.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Nikulinsky |first1=P. |last2=Hopper |first2=S.D. |author1-link=Philippa Nikulinsky | author2-link=Stephen Hopper |title=Life on the rocks : the art of survival |date=2008 |publisher=Fremantle Press |isbn=9781921361289 |edition=Revised |pages = 134–35 }}</ref>

==Uses==
⚫
The tree is sold commercially in seed form<ref name=herb>{{cite web|url=https://herbalistics.com.au/product/brachychiton-gregorii-desert-kurrajong-seed/|title=Brachychiton gregorii – Desert Kurrajong (seed)|access-date=17 September 2018|publisher=Herbalistics|date=September 2015}}</ref> or as a seedling. It is suitable for arid areas as it is [[drought]] resistant once established; it is moderately [[frost]] tolerant, and can grow in full sun or part shade in well-drained soils.<ref name=anp>{{cite web|url=https://www.australianplants.com/plants.aspx?id=1150|title=''Brachychiton gregorii''|access-date=17 September 2018|publisher=Australian Native Plants}}</ref> It forms a large [[tuber]] from a young age and can be cultivated as a succulent [[bonsai]].<ref name=herb/>


[[File:Kurrajong in Primer of Forestry Poole 1922.png|thumb|Mature tree in Western Australia, circa 1920]]
==Cultivation==
The wood is spongy, making it suitable for use as wood pulp. The low height and much divided branches produce a dense crown that gives good shade. A strong fibre can be obtained from the [[cambium layer]].<ref name="Lane-Poole1922">{{cite book |last1=Lane-Poole |first1=C. E. |author-link1=Charles Lane-Poole |title=A primer of forestry, with illustrations of the principal forest trees of Western Australia. |url=https://archive.org/details/primerofforestry00lane |date=1922 |publisher=F.W. Simpson, government printer |location=Perth |page=[https://archive.org/details/primerofforestry00lane/page/44 44] |language=en|doi=10.5962/bhl.title.61019 |hdl=2027/uiug.30112041668135 }}</ref>
⚫
The tree is sold commercially in seed form<ref name=herb>{{cite web|url=https://herbalistics.com.au/product/brachychiton-gregorii-desert-kurrajong-seed/|title=Brachychiton gregorii – Desert Kurrajong (seed)|accessdate=17 September 2018|publisher=Herbalistics}}</ref> or as a seedling where it is suitable for arid areas. It is [[drought]] resistant once established, is moderately [[frost]] tolerant, can grow in full sun or part shade in well drained soils.<ref name=anp>{{cite web|url=https://www.australianplants.com/plants.aspx?id=1150|title=''Brachychiton gregorii''|accessdate=17 September 2018|publisher=Australian Native Plants}}</ref> It forms a large [[tuber]] from a young age and can be cultivated as a succulent [[bonsai]].<ref name=herb/>


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{Notelist}}
{{Notelist}}


== References ==
==References==
{{Portal|Trees}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


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[[Category:Brachychiton|gregorii]]
[[Category:Brachychiton|gregorii]]
[[Category:Flora of Western Australia]]
[[Category:Rosids of Western Australia]]
[[Category:Flora of South Australia]]
[[Category:Flora of South Australia]]
[[Category:Flora of the Northern Territory]]
[[Category:Flora of the Northern Territory]]
Line 50: Line 51:
[[Category:Taxa named by Ferdinand von Mueller]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Ferdinand von Mueller]]


==External links==
{{Malvales-stub}}
* https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-01/desert-kurrajong-compass-water-trees-of-the-outback/102558440
{{Tree-stub}}
{{Australia-rosid-stub}}

Revision as of 23:05, 25 November 2023

Desert kurrajong
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Brachychiton
Species:
B. gregorii
Binomial name
Brachychiton gregorii
F.Muell., 1862
Brachychiton gregorii foliage
Brachychiton gregorii fruit

Brachychiton gregorii, commonly known as the desert kurrajong,[1][2] is a small tree of the genus Brachychiton found in northern and western Australia.[3] It was originally classified in the family Sterculiaceae, which is now within Malvaceae.[a]

Taxonomy

The species was first formally described by the botanist Ferdinand von Mueller in 1862 as part of the work Thalamiflorae. The Plants Indigenous to the Colony of Victoria. Several synonyms exist for the plant including; Clompanus gregorii, Brachychiton acerifolius var. gregorii, Sterculia diversifolia var. occidentalis, Sterculia gregorii and Brachychiton populneus var. occidentalis.[5]

The species name honours the explorer Augustus Charles Gregory who later became surveyor-general.[2]

Description

The tree typically grows to a height of around 3 to 12 metres (10 to 39 ft)[1] with a canopy width of around 2 to 5 m (7 to 16 ft).[6] The evergreen leaves reach up to 20 centimetres (8 in) in length and have three or five lobes on a long stalk. The leaves are shed in the dry months. It flowers between October and December producing inflorescences with bell-shaped pale-yellow flowers with a reddish margin. Following flowering black woody seed pods form that are up to around to 5 cm (2 in) in length and contain many seeds.[2]

Distribution

It has a scattered distribution in arid areas including the north western corner of South Australia where it is found on rock ridges, slopes and sand dunes. It is also found in the Northern Territory[2] and Western Australia where it is scattered throughout the Goldfields, Pilbara and Mid West regions on red sandy or loamy soils.[1]

Ecology

Within its range, this tree is often associated with granite outcrops. The mistletoe Amyema benthamii is often found as a parasite on this species, introduced by a bird wiping its defecation on a branch, and this is eaten by the caterpillar phase of the moth species Comocrus behri.[7]

Uses

The tree is sold commercially in seed form[8] or as a seedling. It is suitable for arid areas as it is drought resistant once established; it is moderately frost tolerant, and can grow in full sun or part shade in well-drained soils.[6] It forms a large tuber from a young age and can be cultivated as a succulent bonsai.[8]

Mature tree in Western Australia, circa 1920

The wood is spongy, making it suitable for use as wood pulp. The low height and much divided branches produce a dense crown that gives good shade. A strong fibre can be obtained from the cambium layer.[9]

Notes

  1. ^ The 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[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Brachychiton gregorii". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
  2. ^ a b c d "Brachychiton gregorii (Sterculiaceae) Desert Kurrajong". Seeds of South Australia. Government of South Australia. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  3. ^ "Brachychiton gregorii". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  4. ^ Stevens, Peter F. (29 January 2015). "Angiosperm Phylogeny Website". Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  5. ^ "Brachychiton gregorii F.Muell". Atlas of Living Australia. Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  6. ^ a b "Brachychiton gregorii". Australian Native Plants. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  7. ^ Nikulinsky, P.; Hopper, S.D. (2008). Life on the rocks : the art of survival (Revised ed.). Fremantle Press. pp. 134–35. ISBN 9781921361289.
  8. ^ a b "Brachychiton gregorii – Desert Kurrajong (seed)". Herbalistics. September 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  9. ^ Lane-Poole, C. E. (1922). A primer of forestry, with illustrations of the principal forest trees of Western Australia. Perth: F.W. Simpson, government printer. p. 44. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.61019. hdl:2027/uiug.30112041668135.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brachychiton_gregorii&oldid=1186857874"