Common Name: Walnut Bean

General Information

Endiandra palmerstonii is a tree growing up to 42 metres tall. The well-formed bole usually has fairly low buttresses; it can be 180cm in diameter and clear of branches for up to 24 metres[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its useful timber, which is used commercially. The seed was eaten by Australian Aborigines[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - northern Queensland.

Habitat

Rainforests, in soils derived from a variety of rock types, but probably reaches its best development in soils derived from basalt; at elevations from sea level to 1,100 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	35.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist to wet tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,200 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 28°c, but can tolerate 10 - 34°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 3,000mm, but tolerates 1,250 - 3,800mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position, but tolerates some shade[]. Prefers a fairly fertile, well-drained soil of medium texture[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6, tolerating 4.5 - 6.5[].

Edible Uses

The seeds were used as food by aborigines, but only after processing them in a method involving leaching in water[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The heartwood resembles walnut (Juglans regia). It varies in colour from light or pinkish brown to dark brown, often with pinkish, greyish-green or blackish streaks; the sapwood is light brown, 8 - 10cm wide[]. The grain is generally interlocked and frequently wavy giving a broken stripe figure when quartered; texture is medium; without distinctive odour or taste when dry; lustrous[]. The silica content is 0.19 - 1.08%[]. The wood is durable; it works rather well provided cutting edges are kept sharp; silica deposits cause rapid dulling of knives so carbide-tipped cutters should be used; gluing is satisfactory[]. It is used for furniture, cabinetwork, decorative veneers, panelling, joinery and millwork, flooring etc[].

Propagation

Seed -

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