Queensland Nut, Macadamia nut
Macadamia tetraphylla
Family: Proteaceae
What it is like
Macadamia tetraphylla is an evergreen Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile. 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 soil.
Height (m): 10
Where it is found
In or near rainforests. Found mainly on alluvial situations bordering rivers and creeks where the fertile volcanic soils are rich in humus.
Australia - New South Wales, Queensland.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Africa, Australia, Brazil, Central America, China, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, East Africa, Fiji, Hawaii, Kenya, North America, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Singapore, South America, Tanzania, Tonga, USA,
How it is used
Food
Rating: 4
Seed - raw or cooked. Pleasantly flavoured and nutritious, the seed is a little sweeter than the related Macadamia integrifolia and contains a little less oil. They can be eaten as a dessert nut and can also be ground into a flour and then mixed with cereal flours to enrich the protein content. The shell is very hard, making it difficult to extract the seed. The seed is up to 30mm long and 24mm wide. The seed contains up to 72% of a high grade oil. This oil is seldom extracted due to the high value of the seed.
Oil: Oil
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Milk: made from plants, that is.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 3
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. The tree is used as a rootstock for M. Integrifolia.
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.
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
How it is grown
Macadamia tetraphylla succeeds in cool tropical or subtropical climates - in Australia they fruit well even when growing at least as far south as Sydney. In the tropics the plant fruits best at elevations from 1,000 - 1,500 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 14 - 28°c, but can tolerate 8 - 38°c. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -2°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at -1°c. The plant can survive slight frosts, though cold weather can result in the loss of the entire crop. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,250 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 850 - 3,000mm. Plants grow best in rich moist but well-drained soils and a position in full sun. They require copious summer watering in their early stages. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7, tolerating 4.5 - 8. Trees require a sheltered position and are easily damaged by strong winds. Plants are slow growing in cultivation, seedlings take 6 - 7 years to produce their first fruit. The trees then produce commercial crops for about 40 - 50 years and can fruit for up to 100 years. There are some named varieties. Plants are self-fertile but yield better if cross-pollinated. Pruning is not normally necessary, but is tolerated if carried out in the autumn.
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. Side wedge grafting has been used exclusively in Hawaii.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 9-12
Growth: Slow
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Queensland Nut, Bopple nut, Mukandania,