Message in a bottle...

Name that native Australian.

 

Brachychiton rupestris?

 

Correct.

 

I assume Michael did not even need to read the label, clearly legible in your 2nd pic! How can this be a "stumper"?

 

The second, or "signed" photo was added as verification of Michaels correct answer. I will attempt not to bore you Tony.

 

When I posted, the thread didn't have any pic at all . . . I got it from the thread title (mentioning 'bottle') and location clue (native to Australia) ;-)

 

I told my wife that very thing. Still learning here...

 

It would have been preferable to post the photo using a subsequent posting rather than to edit the original. It makes it easier for latecomers to follow the thread.

Is this the natural form for this species or is this the result of shaping and pruning?

 

Before yousat posted the photo, I thought the answer might have something to do with Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Did this ring a botanico-comedic bell in anyone else's mind? If so, can you come up with the plant name and Python reference?

 

Frankaea Spamnatra?

 

The tree has been mildly pruned as it is on the edge of the Lotusland parking lot.

 

No one getting past "spam" on the Python angle, eh?

Very well, you can find the Australian native plant in question (and the appropriate quotation from the Python's Australian philosophy professors skit) here.

 

I am sure Mr. Spamnatra tipped more than his share of wattles in bottles...