Brachychiton Populneus Bonsai

Populneus is latin and means poplar like referring to the shape of the leaves.

Brachychiton populneus bonsai. A brachychiton populneus in los angeles is registered as a california big tree. Brachychiton populneus commonly known as the kurrajong is a small to medium sized tree found naturally in australia in a diversity of habitats from wetter coastal districts to semi arid interiors of victoria new south wales and queensland. Brachychiton is greek for short and here means short tunic referring to the loose outer covering of the seed. Also commonly called kurrajong australian bottle tree brachychiton populneus is a uniquely shaped evergreen tree notable for its smooth gray bark flared trunk base and bell shaped white.

The adult leaves of subspecies populneus have reduced side lobes and appear more like those of poplars populus species. The extended trunk is a water storage device for survival in a warm dry climate. Brachychiton populneus kurrajong origin of the species name. Subspecies trilobus has a more northerly and inland distribution and displays leaves with 3 sometimes 5 narrow lobes.

The species brachychiton populneus has two subspecies that differ in adult leaf shape. Malvaceae previously listed in the streculiaceae family. It has simple ovoid to 3 pointed slightly curled small bright green leaves and fairly small non descript off white flowers with pinkish spotted centers that are barely noticeable.