Joshua Siskin writes about gardening in Southern California.
I have always had an affection for kurrajong trees. This could be on account of their suberized trunks, distinctive foliage, bell-shaped flowers with scalloped edges, or tightly arranged seeds, ensconced in woody follicles, which look like they belong on an ear of corn.
The trunk resembles a bottle not only when young but throughout its life when you take its water-holding capacity into account. You can uproot this species and leave it alone for three months without worrying about desiccation. Transplant it following such a significant pause of root contact with the earth and it will soon show signs of new growth. During periods of drought, it becomes summer deciduous, dropping its leaves during this season.
Bottle trees are in the hibiscus family , which includes several other notable trees. One is the baobab, made famous in the children’s literature classic, “The Little Prince.” Another is the cacao tree , from whose so-called beans chocolate is made. A silk tree’s starry, orchid blooms in late summer are followed by football-sized fruits. Soon, these fruits split open to reveal fluffy, silky fibers known as kapok that can be used as stuffing for pillows and seat cushions.
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