Bottle Tree

The Bottle Tree, scientifically known as Brachychiton populneus (often referred to as Kurrajong or Queensland Bottle Tree for other species like B. rupestris), is a highly distinctive and remarkably drought-tolerant evergreen to semi-deciduous tree. This unique long-lived perennial is native to the arid and semi-arid regions of eastern Australia, thriving in hot, dry climates and a wide range of well-drained soils, from rocky hillsides to sandy plains. In Phoenix, Arizona, the Bottle Tree is an exceptionally popular and increasingly common landscape tree, cherished for its unique form and resilience in extreme heat. It can easily live for 50 to 150 years or more, forming a substantial and iconic presence.

Its most distinctive characteristic, and the source of its common name, is its swollen, bottle-shaped trunk, which is noticeably broader at the base and tapers upwards. This unusual trunk serves as a water storage reservoir, allowing the tree to endure prolonged periods of drought. The bark is typically smooth and greenish-gray, sometimes developing slight furrows with age. The leaves are glossy, dark green, and highly variable in shape, ranging from oval to deeply lobed (often resembling maple leaves), sometimes even on the same tree. In very dry conditions or cooler winters, it may be semi-deciduous, shedding some foliage. In late spring to early summer, mature Bottle Trees produce small, bell-shaped flowers that are typically creamy-white to pale yellow, often flecked with red or pink on the inside, sometimes appearing in profusion. These are followed by canoe-shaped seed pods that are hard, woody, and split open to reveal hairy, irritating fibers surrounding the seeds. While the seeds are edible (once roasted), the fibers can cause skin irritation. The Bottle Tree is renowned for its exceptional drought tolerance once established, its resilience to extreme heat, and its minimal maintenance requirements. Its unique architectural form, tough nature, and ability to provide filtered shade make it an excellent choice for xeriscapes, specimen plantings, and as a conversation piece in desert-adapted landscapes, particularly excelling in the climate of Phoenix, Arizona.