western australia

invasive species

The kurrajong - one of Australia's attractive trees

@JudyEv (342203)

Rockingham, Australia

October 31, 2022 7:35pm CST

So many have put up magnificent photos of various trees in all their autumn (fall) glory so I thought I’d share this one of a kurrajong (Brachychiton populneus). It’s a small to medium-sized tree which had multiple uses for Australian aborigines. The bark was used for twine and fishing lines. The seeds can be roasted and crushed to make a kind of coffee. The trunk stores water for dry times and settlers would cut down branches as emergency fodder for livestock during times of drought. The kurrajong has been introduced to many countries as an ornamental tree. In Western Australia it is regarded as an invasive species in some areas. The seed pods are equally as attractive as the foliage. The photo is mine of the kurrajong that was in my sister’s backyard.

34 people like this

36 responses

@LadyDuck (472087)

• Switzerland

1 Nov 22

This tree is beautiful, I love the shade of read.

3 people like this

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@LadyDuck (472087)

• Switzerland

1 Nov 22

@JudyEv This is what I was thinking while looking at that tree.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Nov 22

There is always a downside to counter the positives. lol

3 people like this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Nov 22

It is one of our more spectacular trees. Such trees do make a mess though when they drop their leaves.

3 people like this

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@rebelann (112987)

• El Paso, Texas

1 Nov 22

Beautiful tree. I think a Mylotter in New Zealand posted a shot of one of these way back when but your shot is so much prettier.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Nov 22

We had a NZ Christmas tree outside our kitchen window but it wasn't the same as this.

2 people like this

@rebelann (112987)

• El Paso, Texas

1 Nov 22

Oh, so there are 2 beautiful trees, I want both of them

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Nov 22

@rebelann Here's the NZ Christmas tree. WA has its own Christmas tree too but it's different from this one.

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@much2say (56115)

• Los Angeles, California

1 Nov 22

That's quite spectacular! The many uses are so interesting . . . have you tried that coffee??

3 people like this

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@much2say (56115)

• Los Angeles, California

1 Nov 22

@JudyEv Safety - ohhh - I didn't think of that. I suppose parts of any tree/plant could potentially be toxic

.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

@much2say Some mushrooms are safe too but others are deadly so I'm very careful about what I pick and try.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Nov 22

I haven't tried the coffee. I'd need someone knowledgeable to vouch for its safety before I'd try it.

Just in case there is something special you need to do to it first.

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@koopharper (7601)

• Canada

1 Nov 22

Don't think I've ever seen one before. I'll have to go look to see if anyone has done any wood turnings with the wood.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Nov 22

Our banksias have an unusual wood too. I'll add a photo of a candlestick holder that my Dad made.

2 people like this

@koopharper (7601)

• Canada

1 Nov 22

@JudyEv I've seen stuff turned from Banksia. Someday I may turn some but it isn't easy to get ahold of in Canada without paying a lot.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

@koopharper I can't imagine that it is grown anywhere else. What about sandalwood? Do you ever come across that?

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@wolfgirl569 (108252)

• Marion, Ohio

1 Nov 22

That is lovely.

3 people like this

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@wolfgirl569 (108252)

• Marion, Ohio

1 Nov 22

@JudyEv Another one we are probably to cold to grow

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Nov 22

It's now grown in several US states now according to Wikipedia. California, Louisiana and Arizona were mentioned.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

@wolfgirl569 Yes, the three states mentioned would all be hotter and drier than when you are.

1 person likes this

@sol_cee (38219)

• Philippines

1 Nov 22

Beautiful name too. Sounds like mahjong

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@sol_cee (38219)

• Philippines

1 Nov 22

@JudyEv oh no not at all. Too complicated for my brain lolll

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@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Nov 22

@sol_cee I played once or twice but not enough to really understand what I was doing. They play it here at the clubhouse once a week.

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Nov 22

Yes, it does sound a bit like mahjong. Do you play mahjong?

2 people like this

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@shaggin (72263)

• United States

1 Nov 22

That doesn’t look like a small to medium sized tree to me wow! It looks around the bottom like there is a lot of green that looks very different then the rest?

3 people like this

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@shaggin (72263)

• United States

1 Nov 22

@JudyEv ohh okay I wondered about that. I could see the bottom when I zoomed and using myLot on my phone the image isn’t that big so it’s harder to see.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Nov 22

I think what you can see are hanging baskets that are hanging from the lower branches.

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changjiangzhibin89

@changjiangzhibin89 (16790)

• China

1 Nov 22

Ah ! The flowers look like flame!Both Kurrajong and Cocoa tree belong to sterculia family,I guess this sort of coffee made from Kurrajong seeds taste a bit like chocolate.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Nov 22

That's interesting. I'm not very keen on trying these native foods in case something goes wrong. In the same way, I'm not brave enough to eat wild mushrooms although there is one type that I know is safe.

2 people like this

changjiangzhibin89

@changjiangzhibin89 (16790)

• China

2 Nov 22

@JudyEv Yes, many of the wild mushrooms are poisonous,especially those that look beautiful.

1 person likes this

@averygirl72 (37845)

• Philippines

1 Nov 22

Sounds Korean. The color of the leaves are not common here. It's great to see

3 people like this

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@averygirl72 (37845)

• Philippines

1 Nov 22

@JudyEv It is beautiful

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Nov 22

Some of the deciduous trees have very lovely colouring. This one is also very pretty.

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@RubyHawk (99405)

• Atlanta, Georgia

1 Nov 22

That's a beautiful but strange looking tree.If I had a yard, Id love to have one of those.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Nov 22

The article I read said they were grown in Louisiana, Arizona and California so they would possibly grow there but that's no use if you don't have a yard.

2 people like this

@RubyHawk (99405)

• Atlanta, Georgia

1 Nov 22

@JudyEv No, I don't have a yard but I have never seen the tree. It's a lovely tree.

2 people like this

@LindaOHio (181821)

• United States

1 Nov 22

What a gorgeous color!

3 people like this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Nov 22

It's very 'red', isn't it?

2 people like this

@LindaOHio (181821)

• United States

2 Nov 22

@JudyEv It's very beautiful.

1 person likes this

@Shunnan (2106)

•

1 Nov 22

Here in the Philippines we do not have Autumn season here so whenever i saw a tree changed its color i am so amazed we have just a fire tree here . I would probably take selfies in this beautiful tree

3 people like this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Nov 22

It is only in some parts of Australia that we have four distinct seasons. The kurrajong would make a great backdrop for selfies!

1 person likes this

@Tracey98 (176)

•

1 Nov 22

This tree is beutiful. I was about to confuse it with another type of tree in our area which we call " christmas tree"

3 people like this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Nov 22

We have a Christmas tree too but it has yellow flowers.

1 person likes this

@Beestring (14697)

• Hong Kong

1 Nov 22

That is a beautiful tree.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Nov 22

It's very pretty. It's a pity that it is too big for here.

1 person likes this

@pitstop (14105)

• Australia

1 Nov 22

That's a splendid looking tree. Adds such a colorful touch to the scenery.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Nov 22

Certainly it is very colourful. The seed pods are also coloured.

2 people like this

@Fleura (30541)

• United Kingdom

1 Nov 22

That's certainly a striking tree!

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Nov 22

It would be one of more spectacular I think.

2 people like this

@TheHorse (220307)

• Walnut Creek, California

1 Nov 22

Interesting. Have you ever tried the coffee?

2 people like this

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@TheHorse (220307)

• Walnut Creek, California

2 Nov 22

@JudyEv Maybe that will be my PC get rich scheme. I'll donate 0000.0001 per cent of my profits to the natives.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

I don't know that it's still used for coffee. I think it was years ago.

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@Dena91 (16686)

• United States

1 Nov 22

What a stunning photo. I love that there are many ways the tree can be used.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Nov 22

Some trees have a great many uses it seems while others not so much.

2 people like this

@Ronrybs (19565)

• London, England

1 Nov 22

Certainly a striking thing is the red colour. Pretty sure it isn't one, but isn't there a tree called a flame tree or was that just the title of a book

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

2 Nov 22

There is a tree called a flame tree or Illawarra flame tree (Brachychiton acerifolius) and apparently it's sometimes called a kurrajong too. And it seems there is a song by Cold Chisel called Flame Trees.

1 person likes this

Anindita Sengupta

@aninditasen (16501)

• Raurkela, India

1 Nov 22

That's beautiful, almost like the cisalpinia of India.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (342203)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Nov 22

It's certainly a pretty tree.

2 people like this

Anindita Sengupta

@aninditasen (16501)

• Raurkela, India

2 Nov 22

@JudyEv Yes it is.

1 person likes this