About Brachychiton populneus (Schott & Endl.) R.Br.
Brachychiton populneus (Schott & Endl.) R.Br., commonly called kurrajong, is a drought-tolerant tree. Its enlarged trunk acts as a water storage structure to help it survive in warm, dry climates. It produces bell-shaped flowers that range in color from pale cream to pink. Its leaves vary widely in shape: they can be simple and pointed, or 3–9 lobed. Young saplings grow from a tap-rooted tuber that resists both drought and fire. Two subspecies of Brachychiton populneus are currently recognized: Brachychiton populneus subsp. populneus and Brachychiton populneus subsp. trilobus. This species has many different uses, and it was utilized by many Australian Aboriginal clans and tribes across Australia. As bush tucker, seeds from its seed pods were typically removed, separated from the irritating fine hairs inside the pod, and roasted before eating. Water can be extracted from the tree's roots by drilling a hole in the trunk and squeezing the wood. There are recorded uses of its seed pods as rattles or toys for children. Its soft, spongy wood was used to make shields, and its bark was processed into fiber. Its leaves are also used as emergency fodder for livestock during droughts. There are records that European settlers roasted and crushed the seeds to use as a coffee supplement.
