Queensland Bottle Tree
Brachychiton rupestris
Brachychiton rupestris, commonly known as the Queensland Bottle Tree, is a famous and unique Australian native tree. It is easily distinguished by its massive swollen trunk, which resembles a bottle and is used to store water, helping it survive extreme droughts. It features a dense canopy of narrow, compound green leaves. In summer, it produces small clusters of cream-coloured flowers. Slow-growing but extremely long-lived, it is highly valued as a landscape centerpiece.
Native Origin & Climate
Dry rainforests, scrublands, and open woodlands of central Queensland.
Expert Pruning Tip
Pruning is rarely needed. You may trim lower canopy branches to shape the canopy and expose the dramatic bottle trunk.
In-Situ Environment
Urban Botanics Art
Botanical Blueprint
Localized Australian Care Taxonomy
Easy Care. Highly resilient tree; extremely drought-tolerant and requires very little maintenance once established.
Full sun. Requires a very sunny position to grow strong and develop its signature swollen bottle trunk.
Low. Water regularly while establishing, but once mature it stores massive amounts of water in its trunk and can survive months of dry soil.
Very well-draining, sandy, neutral to acidic soil. Sensitive to root rot; avoid clay soils that retain water.
Highly drought-tolerant, wind-resistant, and can tolerate cold down to -8°C (heavy frost) once established.
Propagation is best achieved from seed or semi-hardwood cuttings in summer.
Stout, ancient, and sculptural. The giant, fat bottle trunk and fine leaf canopy create a striking, prehistoric Australian look.
Ideal as a prominent feature tree in dry lawns, native rockeries, streetscapes, or commercial landscapes.
Outdoor
Safe:Non-toxic to pets and humans. A safe addition to family yards and gardens.
Local Availability
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