Macadamia integrifolia

Macadamia integrifolia is a small to medium-sized tree native to Australian rainforests. Common names include macadamia, smooth-shelled macadamia, bush nut, Queensland nut, Bauple nut and nut oak.[2]

Macadamia integrifolia
Inflorenscences and foliages of Macadamia integrifolia at Geebung, Queensland
Different stages of Macadamia integrifolia nut
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Proteales
Family: Proteaceae
Genus: Macadamia
Species:
M. integrifolia
Binomial name
Macadamia integrifolia

Description

edit

Macadamia integrifolia trees grow to 15 metres (49 ft) in height.

The leaves are simple, oblong in shape, glossy, entire with wavy leaf margins and are 20 centimetres (8 in) long and 10 cm wide.[3] The flowers are white or pink followed by woody, edible rounded fruits[4] which are 2 to 3.5 cm in diameter.

Distribution and habitat

edit

It is native to rainforests in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales, Australia.

It has been introduced to Mexico and has done well in the states of Michoacán and Jalisco.[5]

The trees will survive in hardiness zones 10 and 11.[citation needed]

Ecology

edit

The trees in Australia can be affected by fungal pathogens from the Neopestalotiopsis genus and the Pestalotiopsis genus (both of the Sporocadaceae family); they both cause flower blight.[6][7]

Uses

edit

This tree is rarely cultivated for ornamental purposes.[2]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Forster, P.; Griffith, S.; Ford, A.; Benwell, A. (2020). "Macadamia integrifolia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T113180064A113310165. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T113180064A113310165.en. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Department of the Environment (2020). "Species Profile and Threats Database: Macadamia integrifolia". Department of the Environment, Canberra.
  3. ^ "Australian Native Plants Society (Australia)".
  4. ^ Hargreaves, Dorothy; Hargreaves, Bob (1964). Tropical Trees of Hawaii. Kailua, Hawaii: Hargreaves. p. 40.
  5. ^ Marisela Taboada & Rogelio Oliver Guadarrama. 2004. Cultivos alternativos en México. Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas. AGT Editor S.A. Mexico City, Mexico. ISBN 968-463-120-0
  6. ^ Prasannath, Kandeeparoopan; Shivas, Roger G.; Galea, Victor J.; Akinsanmi, Olufemi A. (17 September 2021). "Neopestalotiopsis Species Associated with Flower Diseases of Macadamia integrifolia in Australia". J Fungi (Basel). 7 (9): 771. doi:10.3390/jof7090771. PMC 8471233. PMID 34575809.
  7. ^ Akinsanmi, O.A.; Nisa, S.; Jeffego, O.S.; Drenth, A. (2016). "Multiple Pestalotiopsis and Neopestalotiopsis species cause flower blight of macadamia in Australia". Phytopathology. 106 (12): 122‑122.

Other sources

edit