Celebes nut
Macadamia hildebrandii

Family: Proteaceae

What it is like

Macadamia hildebrandii is an evergreen Tree growing to 14 m (46ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Height (m): 14

Where it is found

In or near rainforests.

Origin: Sulawesi an island in Indonesia.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Indonesia

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Macadamias are eaten fresh, roasted, and in baked goods. They are 7-8% protein. Carbon Farming Solutions - Staple Crop: oil (The term staple crop typically refers to a food that is eaten routinely and accounts for a dominant part of people's diets in a particular region of the world).

Oil: Oil

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

Possibly similar uses to other species in this genus which include: agroforestry Uses: The decomposed husk is commonly used in potting soil. Other Uses: Macadamia shells may be used as fuel, generating sufficient energy to dry wet, in-shell nuts. The oil from the seed is used in cosmetics. The green seed hulls contain approximately 14% of tannins.

Cosmetic: Used to improve the physical appearence of a person.

Fuel: Usually wood, plant materials that have been mentioned as being a good fuel.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Plant breeding: Used in producing new species of plants or improved varieties.

Tannin: An astringent substance obtaied from plants, it is used medicinally, as a dye and mordant, stabilizer in pesticide etc.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

New Perennial Crop: Most new crops were important wild plants until recently, although some are the result of hybridization. They have been developed in the last few, decades. What they have in common is that they are currently cultivated by farmers.

Staple Crop: Oil: (0-15 percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Some of these are consumed whole while others are exclusively pressed for oil. Annuals include canola, poppyseed, maize, cottonseed, sunflower, peanut. Perennials include high-oil fruits, seeds, and nuts, such as olive, coconut, avocado, oil palm, shea, pecan, and macadamia. Some perennial oil crops are consumed whole as fruits and nuts, while others are exclusively pressed for oil (and some are used fresh and for oil).

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

New Perennial Crop: Most new crops were important wild plants until recently, although some are the result of hybridization. They have been developed in the last few, decades. What they have in common is that they are currently cultivated by farmers.

Staple Crop: Oil: (0-15 percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Some of these are consumed whole while others are exclusively pressed for oil. Annuals include canola, poppyseed, maize, cottonseed, sunflower, peanut. Perennials include high-oil fruits, seeds, and nuts, such as olive, coconut, avocado, oil palm, shea, pecan, and macadamia. Some perennial oil crops are consumed whole as fruits and nuts, while others are exclusively pressed for oil (and some are used fresh and for oil).

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

Climate: tropical. Humidity: humid. A rain forest species for truely wet lowlands. Cultivation: new crop. Management: standard (Describes the non-destructive management systems that are used in cultivation).

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a nursery bed. The dehusked seed germinates quickly at 25°c. Cultivars may be grafted.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Sulawesi nut, Sulawesi Macadamia, Celebes Macadamia, Celebes nut

Synonyms

This name is unresolved, but some data suggest that it is synonymous with Lasjia hildebrandii (Steenis) P.H.Weston & A.R.Mast .