Plant family: Protaceae
Plant origin: North-East Queensland.
Fruit description: The nuts have a leathery green outer husk, then inside that is a very hard shell. The inner shell is round, light brown and smooth, about 30 mm in diameter. The round kernel is creamy in colour, with a crisp texture. This species of macadamia crops several times a year with a large crop.
Flowers: The flowers are small and white or cream, occurring in long racemes that hang down, appearing in Winter and Spring. They are very sweetly fragrant, Macadamia honey is produced from the flowers.
Growing conditions: The macadamia is a large rounded tree growing to about 8 metres in height. It is quite hardy and frost tolerant. In cool climates, protect the young trees from frost. It has dense dark green leaves with serrated edges, and bronze coloured new growth. The leaves are in whirls of three. It provides excellent shade. The roots are deep so it is best grown in deep rich soil. It requires plenty of moisture. Macadamias are generally free of pests and diseases.
Uses: Eat the shelled nuts raw or roasted. Use macadamias in any recipe where you can use nuts, such as biscuits, slices, cakes, breads, soups, salads, stuffings, desserts, sauces such as satay or pesto. Crush the nuts to make a paste to spread on toast or sandwiches. Macadamia nuts are very high in monounsaturated oil which is very beneficial to health, lowering blood levels of bad cholesterol and enhancing the effects of other protective substances in the blood. They are also a good source of protein, potassium, calcium, selenium, iron, thiamine, riboflavin niacin and dietary fibre.
Medicinal uses:
Pollination requirements: Self-Pollinating.
Harvest time Collect nuts fallen on the ground, generally from March until September. Remove the husk, which splits as the nuts dry out. They can be stored in their hard shells for a long time in a cool dark dry place.
Plant relatives Macadamia integrifolia, Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia, Hicksbeachia pilosa, Athertonia diversifolia
Special features:
Grown by method: Grafted Pot size: 6 litre
Plant growing Height and Width for pots or in the ground planting: Grows to 2.5 metres high by 2 metres wide if Planted in a Pot. Grows 8 metres high by 4 metres wide if Planted in the Ground.
Shipping plant pot or planter bag size: 6 litre
