Common Name: Peanut Tree

General Information

Sterculia quadrifida is a small sub-canopy tree growing up to around 20 metres tall with a cylindrical bole 30 - 45cm in diameter[, ]. More or less evergreen, the tree drops some of its leaves in the cool season and, in the cooler areas of its range, may be completely deciduous[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for its edible root and seeds, which are consumed locally. The timber is harvested from the wild and exported[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australia - northern New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory, West Australia; north to Papua New Guinea.

Habitat

Coastal monsoon vine thickets[]. Coastal and subcoastal rainforests, often near streams or right behind the beach[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils, so long as they are very well-drained[]. It grows best in a fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny, sheltered position[, ].
A fast growing tree[]. Plants produce a taproot[].

Edible Uses

The seed is good to eat either raw or cooked[, ]. The satin-black seed is about the size of a peanut, it has a tasty, nutty flavour[]. The flavour is similar to peanuts[]. The black seeds taste like hazel nuts (Corylus spp.)[]. As many as eleven of the brilliant scarlet fruits may be seen in a cluster, and each of them may contain up to ten or eleven seeds[].

The root of young plants can be eaten raw or cooked[]. Lovely raw as a snack, the root can also be roasted[].

The mucilaginous substance of the unripe fruit is edible[].

Medicinal

The leaves are crushed and applied as a poultice to treat wounds, sores, skin complaints and stings[, , ].

An infusion of the bark, or the juice wrung from the inner bark, is applied directly to the eyes[].

Other Uses

A strong fibre is obtained from the bark[]. It is used for making twine, nets and fishing lines[, ].

The light grey wood is close-grained, soft, spongy and easily worked. It is little used[].

Propagation

Seed - fresh, moist seed germinates in a few days[].
A physical dormancy caused by the hard seed coat of the mature seeds of many species in this genus can be overcome by scarifying the seed. This is carried out by cutting away or abrading some of the seed coat to allow the ingress of water, though great care must be taken not to damage the embryo[]. The aril surrounding the seed should also be removed - this is easiest when it has been softened through soaking in water[]. The seeds germinate optimally at temperatures between 20 - 30°c. They can be sown in a nursery seedbed or in containers. A germination rate of about 95%, occurring within about 2 weeks can be expected if the seed has been properly treated[].

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