''Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia'' is a small tree in the family
Proteaceae. This rare species is native to subtropical
rainforest in
New South Wales
)
, nickname =
, image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, es ...
and
Queensland
)
, nickname = Sunshine State
, image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, establishe ...
in
Australia. Common names include red bopple nut, monkey nut, red nut, beef nut, rose nut and ivory silky oak.
The tree produces fleshy, red fruits during spring and summer.
[ These contain edible seeds.]
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.[
]
Description
''Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia'' is encountered as a tree to in height, with a maximum trunk diameter of . It may have additional stems rising from the base and suckers after being cleared. Its large compound leaves are pinnate
Pinnation (also called pennation) is the arrangement of feather-like or multi-divided features arising from both sides of a common axis. Pinnation occurs in biological morphology, in crystals, such as some forms of ice or metal crystals, and in ...
and measure from long. There may be 15 to 25 individual leaflets, which measure around long and wide. The leaf margins are lined with fine teeth. New growth is covered with fine rusty hair, as are the inflorescences that emerge in winter and spring (August to October). The flower spikes droop around in length and are shades of purple and brown and cream. They have a strong sweet smell, described as sickly by some. They are followed in spring and summer by a red fleshy oval fruit, long, wide.
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.[ It is a component of the ]understory
In forestry and ecology, understory (American English), or understorey (Commonwealth English), also known as underbrush or undergrowth, includes plant life growing beneath the forest canopy without penetrating it to any great extent, but abo ...
.[
]
Cultivation and uses
The seed is edible, though not as valued as that of its relative the macadamia
''Macadamia'' is a genus of four species of trees in the flowering plant family Proteaceae. They are indigenous to Australia, native to northeastern New South Wales and central and southeastern Queensland specifically. Two species of the genus ...
. It is not commercially cultivated but is sometimes grown as an ornamental tree. It can be difficult to establish in the garden.[ 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.
left, 180px, seedling
]
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q5751425
Proteaceae
Proteales of Australia
Trees of Australia
Flora of New South Wales
Flora of Queensland
Ornamental trees
Taxa named by Ferdinand von Mueller
Edible nuts and seeds
