Common Name: Atherton Oak

General Information

Atherton oak is a relatively slow-growing evergreen tree that can reach a height of 10 - 30 metres[, ].
The edible seed is gathered from the wild and consumed locally.
The tree is rare and threatened in the wild[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - Queensland.

Habitat

Coastal ranges from Cape Tribulation to Mt Bartle Frere, north-eastern Queensland. Grows in rainforest, mostly from 700 to 1150 metres, but descending to as low as 400 metres at Alexandra Ck[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in moist, warm temperate to tropical regions, tolerating some frost[].
Prefers a fertile, moisture-retentive soil in a sunny position sheltered from the wind[].
Plants can commence flowering and fruiting when about 7 - 8 years old from seed[].
Flowers are reported to be strongly and sweetly scented[].

Edible Uses

The bluish purple, fleshy, plum-like fruit is up to 4cm long and contains a delicious, sweet, crispy kernel[, ]. The outer skin should be avoided since it has a bitter flavour[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - slow to germinate unless it is scarified first[]. The seed has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.
Cuttings.

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: what is half of 6?