This spectacular tree, which grows to
10 metres, is a well known and popular garden planting – it is probably
the most well-known rainforest tree. As the name implies this tree
produces bright red bell-shaped flowers, which when fully in flower, makes
the tree look like it is on fire. Flame Kurrajong provides food for
the pencilled blue and common aeroplane butterflies.
Leaves:
Flame Kurrajong has large (30cm x 25cm)
shiny leaves that can be 3, 5 or 7 lobed. The leaves are dropped
prior to flowering.
Flowers:
The flowers are bright red and bell-shaped, about 1.5cm in diameter.
They flower during October-November, and surprisingly the best flowering
occurs after droughts.
Fruit:
The fruit of Flame Kurrajong is a large boat-shaped brown pod, which splits
open and exposes a vast number of seeds, which resemble dried corn, inside.
Flame Kurrajong prefers a loamy soil,
but will tolerate a clay soil. It can be found in Sub-tropical and
Warm Temperate rainforests.
Occurs naturally in rainforest between
Illawarra and North Queensland, however it is now growing far beyond its
natural range.
Hauser, J. (1992) Fragments of Green
- An Identification Field Guide for Rainforest Plants of the Greater Brisbane
Region, Rainforest Conservation Society, Queensland.
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photo:
Nan & Hugh Nicholson
Leaf
and Fruit Diagram
Janet
Hauser
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