Northern macadamia, Whelan's silky Oak, Whelan's macadamia
Macadamia whelani

Family: Proteaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows to 30 m tall. It can have buttresses. The new leaves are red. The leaves are simple and in rings of 4 or 5. They are 6-22 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. The leaf stalk is 1-3 cm long. It has masses of white flowers held in stiff erect branches. These are in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. The flowers are cream or yellow and have 4 tepals. They are 2-3 mm long. They have a scent. The fruit is a follicle. It is brown and 4-6 cm long and wide. They is one seed or occasionally 2. They are brown and 3-4 cm long.

There are about 14 Macadamia species. They are mainly in Australia.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to Australia. It grows in very wet, lowland rainforest. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 720 m altitude. It grows best in humus rich soil. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The seed kernel needs treatment before eating. CAUTION: The fruit contain cyanogenetic toxins.

Edible parts

Seeds kernel, nuts

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Helicia whelanii F.M. Bailey;