Firewheel Tree

~ Stenocarpus sinuatus ~

PROTEACEAE

Pollinating relationships have a fundamental influence on the evolution of flowers. As we discussed in Wildflowers – a Love Affair (see p. vii), potential pollinators have a preference for certain colours, but they also have preferences for shapes, sizes and patterns. These large fiery Ferris-wheel flowers, sitting proudly at the ends of branches, have evolved to appear as bright-red star-shaped targets for nectar-hungry birds flying above. The leaves are also an important food source for the adorable Lumholtz’s Tree-kangaroo, or Mabi (Dendrolagus lumholtzi), which is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as near-threatened. We may not be able to lure a Tree-kangaroo into our garden (not yet at least) but the Firewheel Tree will provide a beautiful ornamental treescape, bringing with it a host of native birds.

WHERE TO LOOK

The Firewheel Tree loves its east-coast rainforests and moist environments in subtropical and tropical zones. It can be seen from Bellingen in New South Wales up to Queensland’s Atherton Tablelands and in cultivation around Sydney and Melbourne.

Locations → Queensland: Enoggera Reservoir, Tamborine National Park and Wet Tropics Great Walk (Blencoe Falls Section); NSW: Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Promised Lands near Bellingen and Dorrigo National Park.

FEATURES

This beautiful rainforest tree grows up to 35m in the wild and around 10–15m in cultivation. It features leathery leaves with wavy margins. The leaves vary in shape and size according to the tree’s life stages but are generally oval or lobed. The fire-wheel inflorescence is around 10cm wide and contains an umbel in a circular formation, which gives it the spokes-of-a-wheel look. This is made up of around six to 20 individual tubular flowers. Its boat-shaped fruiting pods are around 5–15cm and contain many long and thin papery seeds.

FLOWERING SEASON

Late summer → Flowers begin spinning around February to March with fruit maturing around January to July.

PLANTING

Seeds appreciate a pre-treatment of an overnight soak in water, with germination occurring in ten to 28 days. Plant out in a semi-shaded spot and keep well watered while establishing. When grown from seed, the plant can take around seven to 15 years to flower; however, cuttings can flower within three to four years. Plants and seeds are found online and in specialty nurseries.