Common Name: Johnstone River Almond

General Information

Elaeocarpus bancroftii is a small to medium-sized tree that can reach a height of 30 metres. The bole can be 60cm in diameter[].
The tree yields an edible nut of excellent flavour, equalling that of Macadamia. It is virtually unknown in cultivation, but interest has been shown in developing it as a crop[]. The plant also has ornamental potential[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - northeastern Queensland.

Habitat

Found in primary rainforests on a variety of sites from near sea level to 1,200 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

We have no specific information for this species, but members of this genus generally grow well in full sun to moderate shade, requiring a fertile, moist but well-drained soil[].
A slow-growing tree[].

Edible Uses

Seed - raw[]. A pleasant flavour[]. The flavour has been variously described as comparable to coconuts, inferior to the almond, as delicate as a filbert, or just plain delicious[]. The seed has a very thick, tough shell[, ].

Fruit[]. The bluish fruit is about 4cm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is light in weight, quite hard and durable[, ]. It is used for timber[].
We have no more information on the specific properties of the wood of this species, however the following is a general description of the wood from this genus:-
The heartwood is light-yellowish white to pink-brown, it is not distinctly demarcated from the sapwood. The texture is moderately fine and even, with straight to shallowly interlocked grain. The wood is soft to moderately hard; light in weight to moderately heavy; weak; not very durable. It seasons fairly slowly with slight end and surface checking; shrinkage is fairly low. It is easy to resaw and cross-cut; planing is easy and leaves a moderately smooth finish; nailing properties are good. A general purpose wood, it is suitable for purposes such as general planking, shuttering, boxes, crates, wooden pallets, match splints, veneer and plywood[].

Propagation

The seed of most species in this genus is covered by a hard, woody shell and can be very slow and erratic to germinate, sometimes taking 2 years or more. Filing down the shell, or cracking it (being very careful not to damage the seed) in order to allow the ingress of moisture can help to greatly speed up germination. Sow the seed in containers in light shade. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow them on until large enough to plant out,
Cuttings of almost ripe shoots, in a sandy soil in a frame. The leaves should be left on the stem.[, ]. Many species strike readily from cuttings.

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