Macadamia integrifolia - Macadamia nut (Forest nut)

It is an evergreen tree, which can reach 10-12 meters in height, has hermaphroditic flowers with entomophilous and ornithophilous pollination. The simple leaves, with a toothed margin, 7/15 centimeters long, shiny green in colour, develop white or pink flowers, collected in pendulous racemes, followed by globose fruits similar to walnuts (Macadamia nut). The fruit is a nut containing a cream-coloured kernel the size of a marble, with an excellent sweet flavour. The fruits have a high content of valuable fats (over 70%) of which 60% are monounsaturated (higher than that of extra virgin olive oil). They also contain many vitamins (A and group B), calcium and phosphorus.

Pedoclimatic needs

It prefers full sun exposure, soft and well-drained soil, keeping the soil moist, avoiding water stagnation. Minimum temperatures of 10°C. Adult specimens can withstand exposure down to -3°C for a short period of time.

Botanical Information

Botanical Name: Macadamia integrifolia

Family: Proteaceae