Rough-shelled Bush Nut - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Macadamia tetraphylla

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 11 Oct 2022

Description

The Rough-shelled Bush Nut is a small to medium-sized, usually densely bushy, tree growing up to 18m tall. The leaves are 7 – 25 cm long and oblong or slightly lance-shaped. The leaf-margins are toothed and prickly. Creamy pink to purplish flowers hang in long strings among the leaves. The fruit is woody brown and globular, 2 – 3 cm in diameter. The edible seeds are enclosed in a hard, wrinkled, brown shell inside a round green husk. Most commercial macadamias are hybrids of this species and the Queensland species Macadamia integrifolia.

Distribution

Confined chiefly to the north of the Richmond River in north-east NSW, extending just across the border into Queensland. Many records, particularly those further south, are thought to be propegated.

Habitat and ecology

Found in subtropical rainforest, usually near the coast.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

South Eastern Queensland

Threats

Clearing and fragmentation of habitat for coastal development, agriculture and roadworks.
Risk of local extinction due to low numbers.
Grazing and trampling by domestic stock..
Fire.
Invasion of habitat by weeds.
Loss of local genetic strains through hybridisation with commercial varieties.
Reduction of genetic diversity as a result of fragmentation

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified 9 priority actions to help recover the Rough-shelled Bush Nut in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Support local Landcare groups and bush regeneration teams raise the species profile and protect sites.
Protect rainforest from fire.
Exclude grazing stock from known areas of habitat by fencing.
Control weeds in rainforest areas.
Protect areas of rainforest habitat from clearing or development.
Expand and connect remaining remnant patches of habitat.
Plant commercial hybrid macadamias away from wild populations.

Information sources

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2002) Threatened Species of the Upper North Coast of NSW: Flora. (NSW NPWS, Coffs Harbour)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Known	North of Coraki
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Known	None
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Known	None