Brachychiton acerifolius is a large tree of the family Malvaceae endemic to tropical and subtropical regions on the east coast of Australia.

They ripen around May to August in Australia,[4][7] splitting along one side to reveal two rows of yellow seeds numbering 12–26, each around 10 by 5 mm (0.4 by 0.2 in) and surrounded by a papery aril covered in stiff hairs, which are very irritating if touched.

[8] Brachychiton acerifolius is found in well developed coastal rainforests from southern New South Wales to far north Queensland.

[10] The seeds of Brachychiton species are edible—Indigenous Australians ate them either raw or roasted after removing the irritating hairs that surround them in the pod.

[9][11] This species is a host plant for the larvae of the pencilled blue, shining pencil-blue, common aeroplane and tailed emperor butterflies.

The specific epithet acerifolius suggests the appearance of the foliage is similar to that of the genus Acer, the maples.

In his landmark Flora Australiensis, English botanist George Bentham published the first key for the nine described species of Brachychiton, and relegated them to a section of Sterculia.