Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton

Use this forum to discuss matters relating to Caudiciform and Pachyform fat plants. This is where one posts unknown plant photos for ID help.
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Jkwinston
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Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton

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Post by Jkwinston »

FAMILY: STERCULIACEAE

Brachychiton are a collection of trees and large shrubs which are generally found in Australia and surrounding countries. Their leaves show variation from about 4 to 20 cm. Some of the genus can be as small as 4 metres, or as tall as 30. All are monoecious, producing separate male and female flowers on each tree. Some, like the discolor, the populneus, and the rupestris, are famous for the their bottle shaped form. Although suited to warmer climes, they have become a regular sight around Mediterranean areas, especially because of their attractive flowers, and their hardy temperament. They may lose some of their leaves during the winter, but by spring all would be well. They grow from seeds very easily, and it is up to you to decide how large they are allowed to grow.
B discolor - Nice France
B discolor - Nice France
IMG_9751x.jpg (186.76 KiB) Viewed 9244 times
B discolor - Nice France
B discolor - Nice France
IMG_9754x.jpg (148.76 KiB) Viewed 9244 times
B acerifolius - Barcelona Spain
B acerifolius - Barcelona Spain
IMG_0516x.jpg (219.68 KiB) Viewed 9244 times
B acerifolius - Barcelona Spain
B acerifolius - Barcelona Spain
IMG_0527x.jpg (199.93 KiB) Viewed 9244 times
B rupestris - Malaga Spain
B rupestris - Malaga Spain
IMG_6287s.jpg (144.39 KiB) Viewed 9244 times
B populneus - Los Angeles USA
B populneus - Los Angeles USA
IMG_8146x.jpg (175.35 KiB) Viewed 9244 times
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Geoff
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton

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Post by Geoff »

Brachychiton acerfolius in flower 8-15 H.jpg
Brachychiton acerfolius in flower 8-15 H.jpg (207 KiB) Viewed 9241 times
Brachychiton australis H.jpg
Brachychiton australis H.jpg (156.64 KiB) Viewed 9241 times
Brachychiton bidwillii in flower shrub H.jpg
Brachychiton bidwillii in flower shrub H.jpg (201.05 KiB) Viewed 9241 times
Brachychiton bidwillii flower cluster H 3-16.jpg
Brachychiton bidwillii flower cluster H 3-16.jpg (86.13 KiB) Viewed 9241 times
Brachychiton diversifolium shot 4.jpg
Brachychiton diversifolium shot 4.jpg (171.12 KiB) Viewed 9241 times
Brachychiton Monton flowers 3-16 early H.jpg
Brachychiton Monton flowers 3-16 early H.jpg (118.9 KiB) Viewed 9241 times
Brachychiton rupestris and Tammy 1.jpg
Brachychiton rupestris and Tammy 1.jpg (189.02 KiB) Viewed 9241 times
Brachychiton discolor flowers more.jpg
Brachychiton discolor flowers more.jpg (62.2 KiB) Viewed 9241 times
seems like calling B discolor a caudiciform is a stretch... has a stout trunk but not normally any stouter than other trees I have seen growing around it in the arboretums. I do find these trees fascinating and attractive... grow very well in the Los Angeles area, though not where I live now up a bit in the high deserts.

Few more shots of Brachychitons.
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Jkwinston
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton

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Post by Jkwinston »

Thanks Geoff for the post, and the fabulous collection of photos. I do concede what you infer, that not all the members of this genus practically demonstrate the caudiciform ideal. Maybe, it was not the best idea starting with B discolor as an example, even though it is quite easily of my firm favourites within the group. Hope you can spare some of your time to do some more posting, as we need a lot more photos example for the group. Your contribution would be greatly appreciated. Jkw
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton

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Post by Stan »

It can be done in the bay area. These barely get any water at all.
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Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton

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Post by Melt in the Sun »

At Bach's Cactus Nursery in Tucson, they have these two (plus populneus, but that grows in parking lots all over town)

B. australis (I think)
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton

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Post by Melt in the Sun »

B. rupestris
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton

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Post by mickthecactus »

I have 2 Brachychitons that I grow like large Bonsai.
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton

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I have acerifolius, rupestris and populneus planted outisde. The best I can say of acerifolius is that it is alive but not happy, having been cut back to the small trunk even by 3 mild winters. B. rupestris has had the same 3 mild winters and remains evergreen and growing. B. populneus has had just one very mild winter but remains evergreen - my reading suggests this is the species most likely to survive a deeper freeze here.
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton

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Post by Melt in the Sun »

Thanks Paul - B. acerifolius is one I expected to see at Bach's if it was viable here. B. populneus seems to be the most bulletproof, though even they don't love our few days a year nearing 50C. The woodpeckers love them for some reason - never seen them in town without an abundance of holes.
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton

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Post by mickthecactus »

Anybody grown them from seed? I have acerifolius seed on the way any advice would be appreciated.
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton

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Post by SteveK »

A friend at work grew several from seed. They are really nice trees maybe 7 feet tall now. I’ll ask if he has any tips.
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton

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Post by Stan »

The ones in Hayward have been cut down. I knew that was going to happen. Seed pods and concrete and people dont mix. Plus it seemed like they got no summer water. Some kind of generic trees replaced them.
Hayward Ca. 75-80f summers,60f winters.
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton

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Post by mickthecactus »

Paul S wrote: Thu Mar 10, 2022 5:37 am I have acerifolius, rupestris and populneus planted outisde. The best I can say of acerifolius is that it is alive but not happy, having been cut back to the small trunk even by 3 mild winters. B. rupestris has had the same 3 mild winters and remains evergreen and growing. B. populneus has had just one very mild winter but remains evergreen - my reading suggests this is the species most likely to survive a deeper freeze here.
Did they survive Paul?

Just sown acerifolius this morning.
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Re: Caudiciforms: About Brachychiton

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Post by Paul S »

last time I looked, Mike, the acerifolius looked dead, the ruepstris badly damaged and the populneus not quite so badly damaged. Fairly sure the rupestris and populneus will come back.

Interestingly I've been in touch with Caspel Manor colledge who have, I discovered, a large rupestris planted out. The guy said it isn't looking great but, of course, we'll see come spring what happens.
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