Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia
Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia | |
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Fruiting tree | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Order: | Proteales |
Family: | Proteaceae |
Genus: | Hicksbeachia |
Species: | H. pinnatifolia
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Binomial name | |
Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia |
Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia is a small tree in the family Proteaceae. This rare species is native to subtropical rainforest in New South Wales and Queensland in Australia. Common names include red bopple nut, monkey nut, red nut, beef nut, rose nut and ivory silky oak.[3][4] The tree produces fleshy, red fruits during spring and summer.[3] These contain edible seeds.[5]
Taxonomy
Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia was first described by German-Australian botanist Ferdinand von Mueller in 1883 from a collection near the Tweed River in northern New South Wales.[1][2]
Description
Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia is encountered as a tree to 10 m (33 ft) in height, with a maximum trunk diameter of 20 cm (7.9 in). It may have additional stems rising from the base and suckers after being cleared. Its large compound leaves are
Distribution and habitat
Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia is found in (and on the margins of) subtropical rain forest from Tamborine Mountain in the southeastern corner of Queensland to the Nambucca Valley in on the New South Wales mid-north coast.[3][6] It is a component of the understory.[7]
Cultivation and uses
The seed is edible, though not as valued as that of its relative the macadamia. It is not commercially cultivated but is sometimes grown as an ornamental tree. It can be difficult to establish in the garden.[7] Germination from fresh seed is reliable with a high percentage of success. However, many juveniles soon die of fungal disease. Alexander Floyd recommends adding original leaf litter from beneath the parent tree to promote beneficial anti-fungal micro-organisms.
References
- ^ a b Mueller, F.J.H. von (1883). "Definitions of some new Australian plants" (Digitised archive copy, online, from biodiversitylibrary.org). Southern Science Record. 3 (2): 33–34. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
- ^ a b "Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia F.Muell". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
- ^ a b c d "Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia F.Muell". PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
- ^ "Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia". Species Profile and Threats database. Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
- ISBN 0207169306.
- ^ ISBN 0-643-05693-9.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-85199-638-7. Retrieved 28 May 2010.