Brachychiton discolor F. Muell. (Sterculiaceae) Scrub Bottletree, Queensland Lace-bark or Hat Tree A tall tree with sycamore-like leaves, but leafless when covered with pink or red flowers, native of Queensland and New South Wales, growing in coastal scrub and rainforest, flowering in November-March. An upright tree to 30m, with a stout trunk, but smaller in cooler areas. Leaves 10-20cm across, 3-7-lobed. Flowers about 5cm across, bell-shaped on a slender inflorescence, but usually seen as here, carpeting the ground after they have fallen. Easily grown in any good soil. Min. - 3°C and will recover if defoliated by light frost. B. acerifolius F. Muell. is the commonest species in cultivation and very striking when covered with large-branched inflorescences of red, bell-shaped flowers about 1.5cm across, produced most prolifically on leafless trees after a hot, dry period, usually May-June in California, October-March in Australia. Young trees make good pot plants with beautiful maple-like leaves.