This large buttress tree has a short greyish trunk with spreading branches that form a broad dome crown. It has glossy green divided leaves and the scarlet pea-shaped flowers appear in profuse clusters during spring. 

Hardiness zones 10 to 12

Castanospermum australe is naturally found in Australiaon growing on the east coast from northern New South Wales to the Cape York Peninsular in Queensland appearing in protected positions along creeks in rainforest settings. 

It grows in well drained rich alluvial sandy to clay soils in a sunny to semi shaded protected position and is drought and frost sensitive. 

The Moreton Bay Chestnut is grown for its spreading crown and its colourful flowers. It is planted in parks and large gardens as a lawn specimen or for shade and used as a wind break. It is also planted in rainforest settings attracting birds and has a fast growth rate and will establish in 3 to 5 years. ID 550

Castanospermum (ka-stan’-o-SPUR-mum) australe (aw-STRAL-ee)

From Greek kastanea, “chestnut”, + spermum, “seed”, referring to the chestnut-like seeds; “australe”, from Latin for “southern”.

Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)