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Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Seed - raw or cooked. Sweet and delicious, they can be added to cakes, biscuits, ice cream etc[1][2]. They can also be ground into a flour and then added to cereals to enrich their protein value. The shell is very hard, making it difficult to extract the seed[3]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[2].

Unknown part

Oil

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Macadamia integrifolia.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Macadamia integrifolia.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a warm greenhouse[4]. The dehusked seed germinates quickly at 25°c[5]. The seed can also be sown in the spring in a warm greenhouse[4]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. If trying them outdoors, give the plants some protection from the cold for their first few winters. Cultivars may be grafted.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Macadamia integrifolia. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Plants grow best in rich moist soils and require copious summer watering in their early stages[1], though established plants are very drought resistant[5]. Trees require a sheltered position and are easily damaged by strong winds[5].

Plants can be grown in climates cooler than their native habitat, but they are not very hardy in Britain. They can survive slight frosts, however[5], and have succeeded outdoors in the Scilly Isles[6]. Growth is optimal between temperatures of 20 - 25°c, ceasing when they fall below 10°c or rise above 30°c[5]. Cold weather can result in the loss of the entire crop[5]. The macadamia nut is cultivated for its edible seed in many tropical and sub-tropical areas[1], there are some named varieties[1][2]. Plants are slow growing in cultivation, seedlings take 6 - 7 years to produce their first fruit[1]. The trees then produce commercial crops for about 40 - 50 years and can fruit for up to 100 years[5]. Pruning is not normally necessary, but is tolerated if carried out in the autumn[4].

This species was formerly considered to be a part of M. ternifolia[1].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Macadamia integrifolia. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Macadamia integrifolia.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Macadamia integrifolia
Genus
Macadamia
Family
Proteaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
9
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    Mature Size
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.51.6 Holliday. I. and Hill. R. A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Frederick Muller Ltd. ISBN 0-85179-627-3 (1974-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.22.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. ISBN 0-330-37376-5 (1998-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-86318-386-7 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.65.7 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    6. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)