Northern kurrajong, Tropical kurrajong
Brachychiton diversifolius

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A deciduous tree. It often grows about 6 m high but can grow to 25 m high. It loses many of its leaves during the year. The leaves are oval to heart shaped. They are 4.5-15 cm long by 5-10.5 cm wide. They have a long pointed tip. Young leaves vary in shape. There are male and female flowers separately. They are bell shaped and greenish-yellow. The fruit are smooth and oval. They are woody and 5-9.5 cm long by 2.5-3.5 cm wide. They are dark grey to black and split open when ripe. They have prickly hairs inside. There are many prickly hairy yellow seeds. There can be 10-22 seeds in each follicle. The seeds are edible.

There are about 30 Brachychiton species. Most are in Australia. Also put in the family Sterculiaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in open forest in northern Western Australia. It needs well-drained soil. It suits hot inland and tropical areas. It is very frost sensitive when young.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The hairs are removed from the seed and then the seed are eaten raw or cooked. They can be roasted and mae into bread, pancakes, muffins, and other baked goods. The yam like tuberous roots of young plants are eaten raw or cooked. The honey coloured sap is eaten.

Edible parts

Seeds, roots, sap, gum

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

It is slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Airitja, Burdaga, Darlab, Djalad, Gorrgorr, Kawoorrkawoorr, Maradaja, Marlikirringa, Nanunguwa, Pirtpa

Synonyms

Sterculia caudata Hew. ex Benth.; Sterculia decipiens W. Fitzg.;