Section 2
7. Bismarck Palm
Scientific name: Bismarckia nobilis
Provenance: North and western Madagascar
Conservation status: Least Concern
Continue walking past the circular planter visible from the pink silk-floss tree to the main pathway. The Bismarck Palm is straight ahead slightly to the left. The Bismarck palm stuns with its silver-blue palmate leaves, which can grow to more than 9 feet (~3 meters) in diameter. The tree is named after Otto von Bismarck of the German Empire, with its scientific name literally meaning “Bismarck noble.” Bismarck palm is native to a Mediterranean climate and open grasslands, growing up to 80 feet (~25 meters) in the wild; frequent fires in grasslands often leave Bismarck palms as the only trees which survive on this landscape. The species is said to appear healthier when grown in subtropical and tropical areas.
8. Queensland Bottle Tree
Scientific name: Brachychiton rupestris
Provenance: Australia (eastern Queensland)
Conservation status: Least Concern
Walk right on the main asphalt pathway. The Queensland bottle tree will be on the left just before the sign for the Serpent Trail. What you may first notice about the Queensland bottle tree is its uniquely shaped trunk, which is where the species gets its common name. Young leaves on the Queensland bottletree appear to be almost divided into two, but this indentation becomes less noticeable as they mature. The tree is partly deciduous, meaning that it sheds its leaves seasonally and additionally during periods of dry weather to save water. Urn-shaped flowers can be seen blooming in late spring with cream and red colors.
9. Weeping Bottlebrush
Scientific name: Melaleuca viminalis ‘Red Cascade’ (syn. Callistemon viminalis)
Provenance: Australia (northeast New South Wales and eastern Queensland)
Conservation status: Least Concern
Go onto the Serpent Trail. Make sure to stay on the trail when you spot weeping bottlebrush on your left. The evergreen weeping bottlebrush has characteristically drooping branches, which can mask the tree’s height (sometimes up to 20 feet or ~6 meters). In the scientific name of the species, “viminalis” is Latin for “bearing roots or ribbons for wicker work [weaving].” Weeping bottlebrush grows best in open, sunny areas with well-drained soil. The ‘Red Cascade’ variety of the species that you see at the Arboretum is notable for its large flowers and long spikes.
10. Bunya-Bunya
Scientific name: Araucaria bidwillii
Provenance: Australia (New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria)
Conservation status: Least Concern
Continue on the Serpent Trail and look straight ahead when the trail takes a sharp turn to the right. A massive tree that grows to well over 150 feet (~45 meters) in nature, the bunya-bunya has an impressive crown of branches that are pyramidal to spherical in shape. The cones of the bunya-bunya, which take three years to mature, weigh around fifteen pounds (~seven kilograms) each; about 50 to 100 seeds the size of unshelled almonds are packed in every cone. The cones usually fall off the bunya-bunya in the late summer, becoming hazardous objects and a “widowmaker.” Bunya-bunya has historically been reduced by deforestation in Australia, but can often be found in turn-of-the-century constructed parks in Los Angeles. The species is highly prized for use by wood artists. Related species that can be viewed at the Arboretum include Araucaria angustifolia (Brazilian pine) and Araucaria cunninghamii (hoop pine).
11. Spotted Gum
Scientific name: Corymbia maculata (syn. Eucalyptus maculata)
Provenance: Australia (New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria)
Conservation status: Least Concern
Take the rest of the Serpent Trail to the asphalt pathway. Make a left onto the asphalt pathway, walk about a hundred feet (~30 meters), and you can find multiple spotted gum trees on your left. Spotted gum is suited to grow in temperate and tropical areas, preferring open forests as habitat. The tree has a stately form with smooth, cream-colored bark and older bark exposed in patches (spots). Spotted gum’s wood is notably strong and therefore has a diversity of uses in commercial construction. The species’ flowers are relied upon extensively to support many commercial honey operations in Australia.