Family: Sterculiaceae Taxon: Brachychiton populneus Synonym: Poecilodermis populnea Schott & Endl. (basio Common Name: bottletree Sterculia diversifolia G. Don bottelboom kurrajong whiteflower kurrajong Questionaire : current 20090513 Assessor: Chuck Chimera Designation: EVALUATE Status: Assessor Approved Data Entry Person: Chuck Chimera WRA Score 6 101 Is the species highly domesticated? y=-3, n=0 n 102 Has the species become naturalized where grown? y=1, n=-1 103 Does the species have weedy races? y=1, n=-1 201 Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) - If island is primarily wet habitat, then (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2- High substitute "wet tropical" for "tropical or subtropical" high) (See Appendix 2) 202 Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2- High high) (See Appendix 2) 203 Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility) y=1, n=0 n 204 Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates y=1, n=0 y 205 Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range? y=-2, ?=-1, n=0 y 301 Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see y Appendix 2), n= question 205 302 Garden/amenity/disturbance weed n=0, y = 1*multiplier (see y Appendix 2) 303 Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed n=0, y = 2*multiplier (see n Appendix 2) 304 Environmental weed n=0, y = 2*multiplier (see n Appendix 2) 305 Congeneric weed n=0, y = 1*multiplier (see Appendix 2) 401 Produces spines, thorns or burrs y=1, n=0 n 402 Allelopathic y=1, n=0 n 403 Parasitic y=1, n=0 n 404 Unpalatable to grazing animals y=1, n=-1 n 405 Toxic to animals y=1, n=0 y 406 Host for recognized pests and pathogens y=1, n=0 n 407 Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans y=1, n=0 408 Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems y=1, n=0 y 409 Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle y=1, n=0 n 410 Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island) y=1, n=0 y Print Date: 7/9/2012 Brachychiton populneus (Sterculiaceae) Page 1 of 8 411 Climbing or smothering growth habit y=1, n=0 n 412 Forms dense thickets y=1, n=0 501 Aquatic y=5, n=0 n 502 Grass y=1, n=0 n 503 Nitrogen fixing woody plant y=1, n=0 n 504 Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers) y=1, n=0 n 601 Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat y=1, n=0 n 602 Produces viable seed y=1, n=-1 y 603 Hybridizes naturally y=1, n=-1 y 604 Self-compatible or apomictic y=1, n=-1 605 Requires specialist pollinators y=-1, n=0 n 606 Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation y=1, n=-1 n 607 Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, >3 4+ years = -1 701 Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked y=1, n=-1 n areas) 702 Propagules dispersed intentionally by people y=1, n=-1 y 703 Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant y=1, n=-1 n 704 Propagules adapted to wind dispersal y=1, n=-1 n 705 Propagules water dispersed y=1, n=-1 n 706 Propagules bird dispersed y=1, n=-1 y 707 Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally) y=1, n=-1 y 708 Propagules survive passage through the gut y=1, n=-1 y 801 Prolific seed production (>1000/m2) y=1, n=-1 802 Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr) y=1, n=-1 n 803 Well controlled by herbicides y=-1, n=1 y 804 Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire y=1, n=-1 y 805 Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents) y=-1, n=1 Designation: EVALUATE WRA Score 6 Print Date: 7/9/2012 Brachychiton populneus (Sterculiaceae) Page 2 of 8 Supporting Data: 101 2000. Buist, M./Yates, C.J/Ladd, P.G.. Ecological No evidence that species is highly domesticated. characteristics of Brachychiton populneus (Sterculiaceae) (kurrajong) in relation to the invasion of urban bushland in south-western Australia. Austral Ecology. 25: 487–496. 102 2010. WRA Specialist. Personal Communication. NA 103 2010. WRA Specialist. Personal Communication. NA 201 2000. Buist, M./Yates, C.J/Ladd, P.G.. Ecological "Brachychiton populneus is a small tree 10–20 m high, which has a widespread characteristics of Brachychiton populneus distribution, occurring on the western side of the Great Dividing Range from near (Sterculiaceae) (kurrajong) in relation to the Albury, New South Wales and north eastern Victoria to areas inland from invasion of urban bushland in south-western Townsville, Queensland. The species also occurs on the eastern side of the Australia. Austral Ecology. 25: 487–496. Great Dividing Range in the south-coastal areas of New South Wales south to eastern Victoria and in the upper catchments of coastal rivers on the north coast of New South Wales." [range extends well into tropics] 202 2000. Buist, M./Yates, C.J/Ladd, P.G.. Ecological [Broad native range that includes tropical climates] characteristics of Brachychiton populneus (Sterculiaceae) (kurrajong) in relation to the invasion of urban bushland in south-western Australia. Austral Ecology. 25: 487–496. 203 1955. Maino, E./Howard, F.. Ornamental trees: "It will not tolerate cold and thrives only in mild areas." an illustrated guide to their selection and care. University of California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles, CA 203 2010. Backyard Gardener. Brachychiton "USDA Hardiness Zone: 9 to 11" populneus. http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda _ef92.html 204 2000. Buist, M./Yates, C.J/Ladd, P.G.. Ecological "...has a widespread distribution, occurring on the western side of the Great characteristics of Brachychiton populneus Dividing Range from near Albury, New South Wales and north eastern Victoria to (Sterculiaceae) (kurrajong) in relation to the areas inland from Townsville, Queensland." [native range extends well into tropics] invasion of urban bushland in south-western Australia. Austral Ecology. 25: 487–496. 205 2008. Hogan, S.. Trees for all seasons: "…a popular landscape subject in such areas as the U.S. Southwest and broadleaved evergreens for temperate climates. especially coastal southern California to the milder parts of the Oregon coast." Timber Press, Portland, OR 301 2000. Buist, M./Yates, C.J/Ladd, P.G.. Ecological "In Kings Park, B. populneus has moved from cultivation to become a weed in the characteristics of Brachychiton populneus adjoining bushland reserve." [native Australian tree naturalized in Western (Sterculiaceae) (kurrajong) in relation to the Australia, outside naturally occurring range] invasion of urban bushland in south-western Australia. Austral Ecology. 25: 487–496. 301 2007. Hussey, B.M.J./Keighery, G. J./Dodd, "It is often planted in gardens or as a street tree, and I naturalized in urban J./Lloyd, S.G./Cousens, R.D.. Western Weeds. A bushland in Perth. A native of eastern Australia." Guide to the Weeds of Western Australia. The Weed Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park, WA 302 2000. Buist, M./Yates, C.J/Ladd, P.G.. Ecological "The highest density of kurrajongs (69.3 trees ha–1) was observed in the most characteristics of Brachychiton populneus disturbed area of Kings Park, and there was a strong relationship between (Sterculiaceae) (kurrajong) in relation to the density of B. populneus and disturbance (P = 0.058)...Brachychiton populneus invasion of urban bushland in south-western appears to have become a weed in Kings Park because, first, it is dispersed Australia. Austral Ecology. 25: 487–496. widely into new sites through the foraging behaviour of vertebrates and once germinated has no grazing pressure, and, second, its development of a root tuber and ability to resprout means the seedlings are resilient in this frequently disturbed Mediterranean environment." 302 2003. Australian National Botanic Gardens. "It should also be noted that kurrajongs may cause nuisance from their large Growing Native Plants - Brachychiton populneus. woody fruit, deep roots that clog drains and potential for escape into native http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns- vegetation (e.g. near Perth)." 2002/brachychiton-populneus.html 303 2010. WRA Specialist. Personal Communication. A weed of urban bushland [see 3.02] Print Date: 7/9/2012 Brachychiton populneus (Sterculiaceae) Page 3 of 8 304 2007. Randall, R.P.. Global Compendium of Listed as an environmental weed [but impacts described from urban bushland Weeds - Brachychiton populneus. areas. New information could change the answer to this question. See 3.02] http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/brachychiton_po pulneus/ 304 2010. WRA Specialist. Personal Communication. A weed or urban bushland [see 3.02] 305 2010. Australian Association of Bush Brachychiton acerifolius listed as a weed of the Blue Mountain Region [but with Regenerators. Bushland Weeds of the Blue no description of impacts. More information needed] Mountains Region. http://www.aabr.org.au/index.php?option=com_co ntent&view=article&id=53:bushland-weeds-of-the- blue-mountains-region&catid=92:weed- lists&Itemid=75 305 2010. Australian Association of Bush "List 3: Minor Weeds Still Cultivated. Regenerators. Bushland Weeds of the Sydney It to bushland. They should be removed if proving weedy." [List includes Region. Brachychiton acerifolius. Need further information to answer yes to this question] http://www.aabr.org.au/index.php?option=com_co ntent&view=article&id=52:bushland-weeds-of-the- sydney-region&catid=92:weed-lists&Itemid=75 401 2010. Florabank. Brachychiton populneus. "Brachychiton populneus is a tree up to 20 m in height, which usually has a http://www.florabank.org.au/lucid/key/Species%20 relatively short bole and a densely-foliaged crown." [no spines, thorns, or burrs] Navigator/Media/Html/Brachychiton_populneus.ht m 402 2000.