GC1A6TX Botannica #1 - Brachychiton rupestris (Multi-cache) in Victoria, Australia created by Team GraMon

This cache has been archived.

Bunjil: Unfortunately there has not been a response (or regular update) from the cache owner within the period requested and, as per the original advice, this cache is now being de-listed (Archived) as abandoned.

If there are components or remnants of the cache, please recover them as we don't want to litter our environment.

If you wish to contact a Reviewer regarding this cache, please send an email via the profile - Bunjil, and quote the Cache Name and GC Identification Code.

GC1A6TX ▼

A cache by Team GraMon Message this owner

Hidden : 3/21/2008

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

Welcome to Team GraMon's Fifth Cache - and the First in the Botannica series for Plant and Garden Lovers and also of course for other cachers to enjoy.
An Easy 2 Stage Cache in Mooroopna Vic. STEALTH REQUIRED!!
PLEASE! DO NOT GIVE AWAY THE NUMBER OF TREES IN YOUR LOG - THANKS
If You do this cache and the tree/s are in flower - Please post a picture -thanks.

Queensland Bottle Tree

Brachychiton Rupestris

In 1845 the explorer Thomas Mitchell led an expedition seeking an overland route from Sydney to the Gulf of Carpentaria. Along the way he came across one of the most remarkable trees in the world – The Bottle Tree. Studded throughout the brigalow scrubs of inland Australia, The Bottle Tree can grow up to thirty metres high and it's girth can be as large as seven metres. Some trees were so wide that a horse standing side on was said to disappear from view. Mitchell had found a tree that would be the saviour of many early squatters.

The Bottle Tree’s most striking characteristic was that its trunk was NOT made of sapwood like ordinary trees, but rather was made of a spongy pumpkin-like fibre. This fibre not only made good tucker for cattle but was also filled with moisture.
To the early settlers’ amazement, The Bottle Tree could save them from the drought.

When drought held the countryside in its grip, the squatter would chop down The Bottle Tree and peel off the bark, exposing the fleshy fibre. The cattle slated their thirst and filled their stomachs. The insides of a good-sized tree could satisfy a hungry, thirsty herd for weeks.

The early settlers made sure that no other trees fell on The Bottle Tree when they were clearing and that all rubbish lying around the tree was cleared to protect it from fire.
The Aborigines ate the young roots and seeds either raw or roasted.

Other Types Of Bottle Trees
Bottle tree or bottle-tree may refer to:
Adansonia species, the baobabs;
Adansonia gregorii, the boab;
Pachypodium lealii, (Apocynaceae), the bottle tree of Namibia and Angola;
The genus Moringa, (Moringaceae), of the Madagascar spiny thickets and elsewhere;
Brachychiton or Kurrajong species, (Malvaceae), of Australia;
Ceiba species, the floss silk tree or palo borracho found in tropical areas, including Mexico, Central and South America, The Bahamas, Belize and the Caribbean, West Africa, and Southeast Asia.

Brachychiton is a genus containing more than 30 species commonly found growing in the tropical and subtropical parts of Australia, but we are focusing on a particular species - The Queensland Bottle Tree.

Growing Instructions
A spectacular looking tree in the landscape. The Bottle Tree is deciduous in summer when many white bell shaped flowers appear with mauve markings. The trunks of the trees are prominently bottle shaped with large specimens having a diameter up to 2m (6 feet). The tree is hardy in most areas once established and of course would appreciate some water during hot dry periods.
Young trees are slow growing and make attractive and unusual pot plants for some years.
If grown in cooler regions it’s usually of a smaller size. The leaves are about a hundred millimetres long and these drop from the tree before flowering. The bell shaped, or campanulate, yellowish flowers usually form between October and December in clusters at the end of the branches.
The Bottle Tree doesn't get attacked by many pests but damage to the trunk makes the tree susceptible to infection. Make sure you don't damage the bark with the mower or the brushcutter and don’t pile mulch against the trunk.
Bottle Trees grow best in well drained, slightly acidic soil, in full sunshine but they can also withstand temperatures of -8 degrees up to +50 degrees celsius.
If you're looking for a feature tree in your garden that's guaranteed to be a talking point, you can't go past The Queensland Bottle Tree - Brachychiton rupestris.

CLICK HERE - To see interesting pictures of transplanting large ones...

The Cache
You will find Brachychiton rupestris here.
How many of these trees are at this location.
If there is 1 go to S36 23 354 E145 21.065
If there are 2 go to S36 23 654 E145 21.565
If there are 3 go to S36 23 854 E145 21.265
If there are 4 go to S36 23 254 E145 21.865

At the cache location you will find a 1L Sistema container.
Good Luck and we hope you will enjoy the Botannica cache series.

Click Here to go to Geocaching Australia Forum

Additional Hints (No hints available.)

This cache has been archived.

Watch

Geocache Description:

Attributes

Inventory

Bookmark Lists

Botannica #1 - Brachychiton rupestris Multi-Cache

This cache has been archived.

Watch

Geocache Description:

Attributes

Inventory

Bookmark Lists