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BRACHYCHITON populneus

Kurrajong
Bush Food

SKU: N 5
Stock: In Stock

Family: Malvaceae
Characteristics: Deciduous tree to 20 m spread 5 m

Seed per packet: Approx. 10
Seed per gram: Approx. 8

Size:
$4.25 AUD Excl. GST

Widely distributed in eastern Australia and also common in cultivation. The small bell-shaped flowers are cream with a pink, red or purple-tinged appearance in spring and summer.
Small to medium-sized tree may reach 20 metres in height although it is often much smaller in cultivation. It has a compact and densely foliaged habit which makes for an attractive specimen plant.

The trunk is stout and grey, while the leaves are shiny green and either entire or 3-lobed, up to 10 cm long. Young foliage is pale green tinged with pink giving the tree an interesting appearance.

Ground-up seeds can be brewed into a coffee substitute or added to bread. The swollen, carrot-like taproot is a nutritious and agreeable vegetable and the gum exudate is also edible. Kurrajong fibre taken from the stem has been used in twine and netting manufacture.

Adaptable to most soils and prefers an open sunny position, drought-resistant but frost tender.

Please Note: Although many of the traditional Bush Food and Medicine plants are now commercially produced in various forms we recommend you research these before using them as any form of food or medicines. Some parts of the plant may not be edible or some may need to be prepared before they are safe to eat or use in any way. We do our best to describe their traditional & modern uses. It is the purchaser's responsibility to ensure they are fit for their intended use.

Grow notes:
Seed is usually best sown in spring or autumn in temperate climates, avoid the coldest and hottest months of the year. The optimum germination temperature for germination of this genus is around 18-22°C

Brachychiton seeds germinate readily, however, they do have a hard outer coating, to assist with the update of moisture required for germination the following method is suggested. This is not critical but will generally reduce germination time.

  1. Place the seed in a container and pour in just-boiled water and soak for 30 seconds
  2. Transfer to a container with lukewarm water and soak overnight.
  3. The swollen seed can then be sown, re-treat seeds that have not swollen.
  4. Sow seed 10mm deep.
  5. Place in a warm shaded or semi-shaded position to avoid dying out.
  6. The growing medium should be well-draining but should remain damp between watering. Keep moist but not too wet as the seed may rot. Do not let the growing mix completely dry out.
  7. Germination should occur in 10-21 days @ 18-22C

General note: Seeds of many natives are dormant and require specific conditions or pre-treatment for germination.
Do not be too hasty to discard seed that does not germinate, seeds will often lay dormant until the conditions are similar to their natural requirements for germination to occur. Containers put to one side will often surprise long after they were discarded.

 

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