The strange Bottle Tree of Queensland is nature’s wonderful gift. The Brachychiton Rupestris also known as a narrow-leaved bottle tree or Queensland bottle tree originally classified in the family of Sterculiaceae, which is now within Malvaceae, is native to Queensland, Australia.
Its grossly swollen trunk gives it an astonishing appearance and gives rise to the name. Bottle Trees can grow in a wide variety of soils and aspects and can sustain in cold to hot temperatures from -5 to +45 degrees. These tees are used to provide shade from the sun and shelter from storms and wind.
As a succulent, drought-deciduous tree. It is tolerant of a range of various soils, and temperatures. It can grow to 18 to 20 meters (Approximately 59 – 65 feet) in height and its trunk has an exclusive shape of a bottle.
The spectacular dense crown is beautifully covered with long, pointed, gray-green leaves. The bottle tree produces yellowish flowers in spring. It is also unbeatable as a feature tree in a larger space where its exclusive form can be completely valued.
It’s a swollen trunk that is primarily used for water storage and on every tree, the leaves are variable from narrow and elliptic to deep divide. The clusters of yellowy bell-shaped flowers are hidden inside the foliage and are followed by woody boat-shaped fruits. This Bottle Tree captures visitors’ attention whoever are interested in nature.
In 1848, Sir Thomas Mitchell and John Lindley discovered Queensland Bottle Trees at Mount Abundance. The Queensland farmers used the whole tree as feedstock during the drought condition.
They carved holes into the soft bark to make reservoir-like structures; consumed the seeds and roots, stems, and bark. Then they also used the fibers to make twine, rope, and nets. Therefore, the soft, edible pulp is well-thought-out to be energy-rich but protein-poor.
