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Macadamia ternifolia - F.Muell.

Common Name Macadamia Nut, Gympie nut
Family Proteaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Occurs in south-facing gullies with fertile, basalt-derived krasnozem soils or the interface between sandstone and basalt krasnozems.
Range Origin: E. Australia. The Small-fruited Queensland Nut is endemic to Queensland.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Moist Soil Full sun
Macadamia ternifolia Macadamia Nut, Gympie nut


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Macadamia ternifolia Macadamia Nut, Gympie nut

 

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Summary

The Small-fruited Queensland Nut is endemic to Queensland. Macadamias are eaten fresh, roasted, and in baked goods. They are 7-8% protein. Carbon Farming Solutions - Staple edible oil crop. Can be misspelt as Macadamia terniflora.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Macadamia ternifolia is an evergreen Tree growing to 8 m (26ft) by 6 m (19ft) 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 and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Helicia ternifolia F.Muell. Unresolved

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Oil  Seed
Edible Uses: Milk  Oil

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) [1-1].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None Known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Cosmetic  Fuel  Oil  Plant breeding  Tannin

Possibly similar uses to similar species which include: agroforestry Uses: The decomposed husk is commonly used in potting soil[303 ]. Other Uses: Macadamia shells may be used as fuel, generating sufficient energy to dry wet, in-shell nuts[303 ]. The oil from the seed is used in cosmetics[307 ]. The green seed hulls contain approximately 14% of tannins[303 ]. Carbon Farming Solutions - Other Systems: multistrata.

Special Uses

Carbon Farming

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Management: Standard  Minor Global Crop  Staple Crop: Oil

Climate: subtropical, tropical highlands. Prefers a fertile, sandy loam to light clay soil slightly acid (pH 5.5–7.0) and well drained. Found on moderate to steeply inclined hillslopes as well as steep slopes at 100–320m (mostly less than 200m) above sea level (asl) in altitude. Can live for over 100 years. Humidity: semi-arid to humid. Carbon Farming Solutions - Cultivation: minor global crop. Management: standard (Describes the non-destructive management systems that are used in cultivation) [1-1]. The species can be found in cultivation. Nut yield 2.2 t/ha. Hybridisation between the Small-fruited Queensland Nut and the Macadamia Nut (M. tetraphylla) has been recorded in Queensland.

Carbon Farming

  • Management: Standard  Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
  • Minor Global Crop  These crops are already grown or traded around the world, but on a smaller scale than the global perennial staple and industrial crops, The annual value of a minor global crop is under $1 billion US. Examples include shea, carob, Brazil nuts and fibers such as ramie and sisal.
  • 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).

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a nursery bed[188 ]. The dehusked seed germinates quickly at 25°c[200 ]. Cultivars may be grafted.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Small-fruited Queensland Nut, Gympie Nut . Misspelt as Macadamia terniflora

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Eastern Australia. Queensland.

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Listed as vulnerable under the EPBC Act.

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Macadamia hildebrandiiCelebes nutTree14.0 10-12 MLMHNMWe403
Macadamia integrifoliaMacadamia, Macadamia nutTree10.0 9-12 SLMHNM403
Macadamia tetraphyllaQueensland Nut, Macadamia nutTree10.0 9-12 SLMHNM403

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

F.Muell.

Botanical References

Links / References

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