Brachychiton sp. Ormeau (L.H.Bird AQ435851) (Ormeau bottle tree), Family Sterculiaceae, is a tree with a distinctive swollen, bottle-like trunk. It grows to a height of 25 m and has glossy leaves which are usually elliptical and 12–20 cm long. Juvenile trees lack a swollen trunk and have narrow leaves with 5–9 deep lobes. Numerous greenish-white, 10 mm diameter bell-shaped flowers grow in clusters at the ends of branches in September. Its fruit are brown, boat-shaped pods up to 3 cm long that ripen in January–February. Optimal conditions for flowering and fruiting appear to be during dry springs, when the plants become deciduous. New leaves are coppery to pale-green after the spring deciduous stage.
Ormeau Bottle Tree |
Brachychiton sp. Ormeau
Status: Critically Endangered on the EPBC Act list
Government evidence of impact of climate change:
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Australian Government, Conservation Advice, Brachychiton sp. Ormeau
The main potential threats to the Ormeau bottle tree include fire low genetic diversity; loss of fitness through inbreeding depression and genetic bottlenecks residential development; extractive industry and modifications to infrastructure (Queensland Government; 2009).
Invasive weeds; such as Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) and lantana (Lantana camara) can alter fuel loads and fire intensity (Gentle and Duggin; 1997).
Identifying optimal frequency and intensity of fire interval to ensure juvenile recruitment and survival of adult plants.
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Australian Government, Listing Advices, Brachychiton sp. Ormeau
Invasive weeds; such as Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) and lantana (Lantana camara) can alter fuel loads and fire intensity (Gentle and Duggin; 1997).
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