Brachychiton rupestris (Queensland Bottle Tree) is one of Australia’s most visually arresting and affectionately regarded native trees. Its common name refers to its characteristic bulbous trunk which can grow to over six metres in circumference.
It is one of 31 species of Brachychiton, with 30 found in Australia and one species in New Guinea.
Brachychiton rupestris is endemic to a limited region of Australia namely Central Queensland through to northern New South Wales. Yet the tree is quite hardy and can tolerate a variety of climates and soil types. It has been widely cultivated all over the world as an ornamental tree.
The tree grows to 18-20 m and the canopy spans 5-12 m in diameter. It will drop its leaves before the flowering period, which are between the months of October and December. It will also drop its leaves to conserve water during periods of drought. The characteristic bottle shape should develop in approximately five to eight years.
Another striking characteristic of Brachychiton rupestris is that its swollen trunk is made of a spongy pumpkin-like fibre, filled with moisture and water. In times of drought, settlers would cut down bottle trees and peel off the bark to expose the fleshy fibre for their cattle to eat. It is said that a large tree could satisfy a hungry, thirsty herd for weeks.
Aboriginal people historically carved holes into the soft bark to create reservoir-like structures. The seeds, roots, stems, and bark have all been a traditional source of food for people and animals alike. The fibrous inner bark was also used to make twine or rope and even woven together to make fishing nets.
Brachychiton rupestris has been planted near the beautiful sandstone gecko in the Sensory Gardens and in the Oasis Valley, just beyond the entrance of the boardwalk on the right hand side.
By Ian McAlister and Karen Hagan