Brachychiton sp. Ormeau – The Ormeau Bottle Tree

Author: David Cuschieri, Gold Coast Branch

Published: Journal September 2021

The Ormeau Bottle Tree is listed as critically endangered as there are only 121 mature specimens in the wild and it is only found in a small area (~12km in area) in one area of the Gold Coast. This tree grows in dry rainforest near creeks and streams. Natural dispersal is thought to be from birds. The classification of ‘critically endangered’ resulted due to several factors:

• Low population numbers in a restricted area
• Weed invasion
• Extractive industry and clearing practices of nearby land managers
• Lack of genetic diversity
• Fire (one arson lit fire has already come very close and possibly destroyed a few new seedlings)

The tree grows to a height of 25 metres and it takes 20 years to reach maturity. This species has different leaf shapes from when it germinates until it becomes a tree. When it is young the leaves are lobed but as it grows older the shape changes and the adult leaves become elliptical in shape. The young fresh leaves are a crimson to coppery colour which a few days later turn to light green and then darken. In September after about 20 years, the green–white flowers can be found high on the bare branches. Pods form after flowering and they can usually be found in January to February. As this tree is critically endangered, you cannot collect from the wild as government permits are required for seeds and cuttings. However, this plant can be grown from cuttings of garden specimens.

Green trunk

Juvenille leaves