Spectacular flowers

Medium-sized tree in rainforest from central New South Wales to southern Queensland. Common in dry rainforest, especially on well-drained slopes and in association with Hoop pine Araucaria cunninghamii. Leaves are about 100 to 150 mm long and deeply lobed. The large, spectacular, felty, bell-shaped flowers are usually deep pink and occur in clusters at the ends of the branches. They light up the tree so it can be seen in the forest canopy from some distance away. The showy flowers are followed by boat-shaped pods from 7 to 20 cm long and containing up to 30 seeds. These ripen during autumn to winter. The slightly swollen trunks of mature trees may be up to 75 cm in diameter and have prominent vertical fissures. Aborigines used the wood of the Lacebark to make handshields, the bark to make dillybags and roasted the seeds for a nutty snack.

Lacebark flower at Chaprowe Road bushcare site on Fish Creek. Photo: Glenys Carlson

Reasonably common in cultivation and is hardy in a range of climates, partly deciduous before flowering. The specific name uses the Latin dis meaning unlike and color meaning colour, which describes the distinct contrast between the dark green upper leaf surface and the pale leaf underside. B. discolor propagates easily from seed which can be stored for several years at room temperature (some has been stores for 15 years with 57% germination). Lacebark is very hardy, likes full sun and can cope well with dry conditions. Growth is rapid in good conditions.

Leaves and foliage Photo: Robert Whyte

Seed collecting and propagation

The seed pods from 7 to 20 cm long contain up to 30 seeds and ripen in autumn to winter. Remove seed from follicle using gloves as hairs can cause skin irritation. Soak in hot water for 24 hours. Germination takes 5 to 25 days. Seeds can be stored sealed at room temperature for 15 years with a germination of 57%.

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Brachychiton discolor seed pod. Philmarin CC BY-SA 3.0