PlantFiles: Broad-leafed Bottle Tree, Large-leaved Kurrajong
Brachychiton australis

One of the rarer Brachychitons in cultivation, it is not one of the more attractive trees- being grown more as an oddity than anything else. It has a rapidly tapering trunk and a thick, round base with a greenish-blue bark. Branches are sparse and looks odd- tree often grows in bizarre shapes. Might make a good container tree. Leaves are palmate... look a lot like maple or liquidamber leaves- shiny green and about 4-5" in diameter. Of the 4 'common' species of Brachychiton, this one seems to be the least cold hardy. I rotted one in a cold spot in my yard when it got down to 25F. I had it planted in clay, which probably didn't help. Seems to be a very drought tolerant tree, even as a seedling.