(Photo courtesy Rare Fruit Club WA - rarefruitclub.org.au)
Sterculia quadrifida
Native to northern Australia and one of our indigenous bush foods.
Also known as the red-fruited kurrajong. In the same family as hibiscus and cacao.
Attractive bright orange/red seed pods (ready to harvest when they are starting to split) which produce a few black seeds, which, when the bitter black coating is removed, may be eaten raw or roasted, resembling raw peanuts in taste - making a great snack, or as a sprinkle for ice cream or salads etc.
The pods form between Nov and Jan.
The leaves of the Peanut Tree are not edible.
The Aborigines use the leaves to treat wounds and stings.
Aboriginal name(s):
Dundil (Larrakia), Malikini (Tiwi), Balkpalk (Yolngu)
Seeds – Egng edndan (Uw Oykangand, Ow Olkola), Mayi pinta (Pakanh)
Tree maintenance
The tree needs water - don’t let it dry out.
Fertiliser - apply an organic fertiliser twice a year.
Mulch is a must.
Sterculia quadrifida
Native to northern Australia and one of our indigenous bush foods.
Also known as the red-fruited kurrajong. In the same family as hibiscus and cacao.
Attractive bright orange/red seed pods (ready to harvest when they are starting to split) which produce a few black seeds, which, when the bitter black coating is removed, may be eaten raw or roasted, resembling raw peanuts in taste - making a great snack, or as a sprinkle for ice cream or salads etc.
The pods form between Nov and Jan.
The leaves of the Peanut Tree are not edible.
The Aborigines use the leaves to treat wounds and stings.
Aboriginal name(s):
Dundil (Larrakia), Malikini (Tiwi), Balkpalk (Yolngu)
Seeds – Egng edndan (Uw Oykangand, Ow Olkola), Mayi pinta (Pakanh)
Tree maintenance
The tree needs water - don’t let it dry out.
Fertiliser - apply an organic fertiliser twice a year.
Mulch is a must.
August 2022
