Australian almond, Winged nut tree
Terminalia canescens

Family: Combretaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It often loses many of its leaves during the year. It grows up to 6-10 m tall. The bark is flaky and greyish brown. Branches often hang downwards. The young leaves, fruit and stems can have a silky covering. The leaves are arranged in spirals and are silvery. The leaves are leathery and sword shaped. They are 1-7 cm long by 0.3-3 cm wide. The flowers occur in a spike up to 8 cm long and are cream to green. The fruit is a nut. It is oval and with a distinct wing around the body. The nut can be 0.5-3.5 cm long and 0.3-1.7 cm wide. The wing can be 0.5 cm wide. It can have fine hairs and a bloom which will rub off.

There are about 200-250 Terminalia species. They are tropical.

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It occurs naturally in northern Australia. The tree is sensitive to fire. It grows on hard red, stony or sandy soils. It is often along watercourses.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The honey coloured gum is edible. It is often warmed before eating.

The gum is highly prized.

Edible parts

Gum

How it is grown

The tree flowers January to June and fruits from April to August.

Its other names

Local names

Bendee, Djulal, Joolal, Wingnut Tree

Synonyms

Alectryon canescens DC.; Myrobalanus circumalata (F. Muell.) Kuntze; Terminalia circumalata F. Muell.;