Brachychiton populneus

(Schott. & Endl.) R. Br.

Black kurrajong

Malvaceae Edible: Seeds, Gum, Roots, Sap, Seeds - coffee, Leaves Potential hazards — see below 5,752 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Source: Wikipedia

Brachychiton populneus, commonly known as the kurrajong, is a small to medium-sized tree found naturally in Australia in a diversity of habitats from wetter coastal districts to semi-arid interiors of Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. Carrejun and carrejan were the indigenous names of trees in the foothills of the Blue Mountains near Sydney, and the bark was used for twine and fishing lines.

Description

A medium sized tree. It grows 10-20 m tall. It can spread 5-12 m wide. The trunk is stout. The young leaves have 3 lobes. The adult leaves are oval with a long point. They are shiny green on top and dull underneath. The leaves are 5-10 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. The flowers are separately male and female. They are bell shaped and are cream in the centre with red flecks. They are 1-2 cm long. They occur in small clusters. The fruit is a boat shaped follicle. It is leathery and 3-7 cm long. There are 12 or more seeds in a pod. The seeds are 8 mm long by 5 mm wide. The seeds have yellow prickly hairs.

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Seed Edible Uses: Coffee Seed - raw or roasted. A popular Aboriginal food, they are also acceptable to western palates, especially when roasted. Very nutritious, containing about 18% protein, 25% fat plus high levels of zinc and magnesium. The roasted seed is used as a coffee substitute. Root - yam-like. A popular food item with the Australian Aborigines. The root of very young trees is used. References More on Edible Uses Composition Figures in grams (g) or miligrams (mg) per 100g of food. Seed (Fresh weight) 0 Calories per 100g Water : 0% Protein: 18g; Fat: 25g; Carbohydrate: 0g; Fibre: 0g; Ash: 0g; Minerals - Calcium: 0mg; Phosphorus: 0mg; Iron: 0mg; Magnesium: 0mg; Sodium: 0mg; Potassium: 0mg; Zinc: 0mg; Vitamins - A: 0mg; Thiamine (B1): 0mg; Riboflavin (B2): 0mg; Niacin: 0mg; B6: 0mg; C: 0mg; Reference: Notes:

Traditional Uses

Caution. The fine irritant hairs need to be removed during harvesting. The seeds are eaten raw or roasted. They can be ground into flour and used for dampers or scones. They are also made into a coffee-like drink. They are roasted and ground then used to brew coffee. The young roots are boiled and eaten.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

The seed capsule contains irritant, glochid-like, hairs and should only be handled when wearing gloves.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It is native to E. Australia. It grows in temperate and semiarid places. It will grow in a range of soil and climate conditions. It grows naturally on rocky hillsides. It needs well-drained soil. It will grow on limestone soils. It can stand heavy frosts. It can grow in coastal conditions. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 300-880 mm. It grows between 200-780 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. In the Inland Botanical Gardens Mildura. National Arboretum Canberra. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. Arboretum Tasmania.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, Chile, China, East Africa, Egypt, Europe, France, Iraq, Kenya, Lebanon, Malawi, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mozambique, North Africa, Colombia, North America, Pakistan, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, South America, Southern Africa, Sudan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed. Young plants can be transplanted easily.

Propagation

Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest sowing the seed in spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth.

Other Uses

Fibre A fibre is obtained from the inner bark - it is used for making cordage, nets and dilly bags. Special Uses

Notes

The leaves are often used to feed animals in dry seasons. There are about 30 Brachychiton species. Most are in Australia. Also put in the family Sterculiaceae.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Seed	5.6	1455	348	18.1	—	—	2.1	5.4
Roots	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Sap	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Synonyms

Clompanus diversifolia (G. Don) KuntzeClompanus gregorii KuntzeSterculia diversifolius G. DonBrachychiton diversifolius var. muelleriPoecilodermis populnea Schott. & Endl.

Also Known As

Nangkata, Nhimin, Nhungga, Plameneče drevo

References (53)

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Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 164 (Also as Brachychiton populneus subsp. populneus)

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