Brachychiton acerifolius

The Illawarra flame tree is a large tree in the mallow or Malvaceae family and is native to subtropical regions on the east coast of Australia. It is famous for the bright red bell-shaped flowers that often cover the whole tree when it is leafless.

• Leaves are deciduous, entire or 3–5 (7) lobed, 12–20 cm long and 5–18 cm wide, glabrous or with scattered, stellate hairs outside, sparsely pubescent inside.
• Flowers are scarlet bells with 5 partially fused petals, 2–3 cm long and 1.6-2.2 cm wide. The spectacular flowering occurs in late spring and new foliage is ready for the summer rains.
• Fruit is pod-like (a follicle), dark brown, wide, boat-shaped and 8–12 cm long and 3.5–4 cm wide. They contain masses of thin bristles that stick in the skin of humans, as well as yellow seeds. These are nutritious and are traditionally eaten by Indigenous Australians after toasting.