Forage Plants of Australia. 11 



OKDEE, STERCULIACE^]. 



STERCULIA DIVEESIFOLIA, G. Dos. 

 " Kurrajong." 



Flora Austr., Vol. J, p. 229. 



A>" exceedingly ornamental tree, often attaining a height of 60 feet on the 

 eastern slopes of the Dividing Eange, and from 20 feet to 30 feet in the hilly 

 country of the interior of this continent. The leaves of this tree are very 

 variable, as its specific name indicates. They are arranged on long stalks, 

 and are quite glabrous and shining ; sometimes they are entire and lanceolate, 

 and from 2 inches to 3 inches long. At other times they range from ovate to 

 ovate-lanceolate, and are more or less deeply three-lobed ; the lobes short, but 

 sometimes long and lanceolate. The flowers are arranged in axillary panicles, 

 rarely exceeding the leaves. The calyx is five-lobed, and about *f inch in 

 diameter, of a yellowish color outside, and a reddish one inside. The 

 follicles, as shown at figure I of the engraving, are nearly ovoid, and from 11 

 to 3 inches long, thick and glabrous, on stalks of about 1 'inch. The endocarp 

 and outer covering with the enclosed seed is shown at figure II in the 

 engraving. It is densely hairy and cohering. The number of seeds in each 

 follicle is about 20, and, according to Mr. Hamlet, Government analyst, 

 they contain 1*8 per cent of caffeine, which is more than the coffee of 

 commerce. If these are roasted, pounded and macerated in hot water, with 

 a little sugar added, when allowed to cool it makes a capital beverage. 

 The roots of this tree, which resemble turnips in consistency, but are 

 sweeter to the taste, are used by the aborigines as an article of food. 

 \Vater in considerable quantity can also be obtained from them, and this 

 too in the driest of seasons. In the arid interior of this continent, during 

 drought time this tree has often proved a most valuable standby to the stock- 

 owner, and has been the means of saving the lives of many animals when other 

 herbage has failed. Cattle and sheep are excessively fond of its leaves, and 

 they thrive well on them. As a rule when feeding stock on the leaves of 

 this tree, the branches only are cut off by thoughtful persons, leaving the 

 trunk standing, which soon throws out^a fresh supply of branches and 

 leaves, thus affording a supply of fodder for future contingencies. It is 

 rather amusing at first sight during drought time, when stockmen turn out 

 armed with axe and tomahawk to cut off the branches of this tree, to see 

 both cattle and sheep following them, and often long distances, knowing by 

 instinct they are going to be provided with food. It makes the wildest of 

 animals taine when pressed by hunger. The timber of this tree is soft and 

 spongy, and almost useless. 'But from its inner bark, an excellent fibre is 

 prepared by the aborigines, who make it into a very strong twine, which they 

 manufacture into nets for the capture of emus and other animals ; also into 

 bags, fishing nets, &c. On deep soils of a dry nature the kurrajong will 



