Macadamia
309401
221737917
2008-06-25T21:35:10Z
Nipisiquit
1645176
-ja:, to: (they are about [[en:Macadamia integrifolia]]), modify fr:, pt:
{{Taxobox
| name = ''Macadamia''
| image = Macadamia integrifolia.jpg
| image_width = 230px
| image_caption = ''Macadamia integrifolia'' foliage and nuts
| regnum = [[Plantae]]
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Proteales]]
| familia = [[Proteaceae]]
| genus = '''''Macadamia'''''
| genus_authority = [[Ferdinand von Mueller|F.Muell.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
''[[Macadamia claudiensis]]''<br/>
''[[Macadamia grandis]]''<br/>
''[[Macadamia hildebrandii]]''<br/>
''[[Macadamia integrifolia]]''<br/>
''[[Macadamia jansenii]]''<br/>
''[[Macadamia ternifolia]]''<br/>
''[[Macadamia tetraphylla]]''<br/>
''[[Macadamia whelanii]]''<br />
''[[Macadamia neurophylla]]''<br />
}}
'''''Macadamia''''' is a [[genus]] of nine [[species]] of [[flowering plant]]s in the family [[Proteaceae]], with a [[disjunct distribution]] native to eastern [[Australia]] (seven species), [[New Caledonia]] (one species ''[http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/31009/all M. neurophylla]'') and [[Indonesia]] [[Sulawesi]] (one species, ''M. hildebrandii'').
They are small to large [[evergreen]] [[tree]]s growing to 6–40 feet tall. The [[leaf|leaves]] are arranged in whorls of three to six, lanceolate to obovate or elliptical in [[Leaf shape|shape]], 6–30 cm long and 2–13 cm broad, with an entire or spiny-serrated margin. The [[flower]]s are produced in a long slender simple [[raceme]] 5–30 cm long, the individual flowers 10–15 mm long, white to pink or purple, with four [[tepal]]s. The [[fruit]] is a very hard woody globose [[Follicle (fruit)|follicle]] with a pointed apex, containing one or two [[seed]]s.
The genus is named after [[John Macadam]], who was a colleague of the [[botany|botanist]], [[Ferdinand von Mueller]], who first described the genus. Common names include '''Macadamia''', '''Macadamia nut''', '''Queensland nut''', '''Bush nut''', '''Maroochi nut''' and '''Bauple nut'''; [[Indigenous Australians|Indigenous Australian]] names include '''Kindal Kindal''' and '''Jindilli'''.<br clear = left>
==Cultivation and uses==
[[Image:MacNut2.JPG|left|thumb|Macadamia nut in its shell and a roasted nut]]
The [[nut (fruit)|nuts]] are a valuable [[food crop]]. Only two of the species, ''[[Macadamia integrifolia]]'' and ''[[Macadamia tetraphylla]]'', are of commercial importance. The remainder of the genus possess poisonous and/or inedible nuts, such as ''M. whelanii'' and ''M. ternifolia''; the toxicity is due to the presence of [[glycoside|cyanogenic glycosides]]. These glycosides can be removed by prolonged [[Leaching#Cooking|leaching]], a practice carried out by some [[Indigenous Australian]] people in order to use these species as well.
The two species of [[edible]] macadamia readily hybridise, and ''M. tetraphylla'' is threatened in the wild due to this. Wild nut trees were originally found at [[Mount Bauple National Park|Mt. Bauple]] near [[Maryborough, Queensland|Maryborough]] in SE [[Queensland]], Australia. Locals in this area still refer to them as "Bauple nuts". The macadamia nut is the only plant food native to Australia that is produced and exported in any significant quantity.
[[Joseph Maiden]], Australian botanist, wrote in 1889 "It is well worth extensive cultivation, for the nuts are always eagerly bought."<ref> Maiden, J.H., ''The Useful Native Plants of Australia'', 1889, p40 </ref> The first commercial orchard of macadamia trees was planted in the early 1880s by Mr Charles Staff at Rous Mill, 12 km south east of [[Lismore, New South Wales]], consisting of ''M. tetraphylla''.<ref> Power, J., ''Macadamia Power in a Nutshell'', 1982, ISBN 0-9592892-0-8, p. 13.</ref> Besides the development of a small boutique industry in Australia during the late 19th and early 20th century, macadamia was extensively planted as a commercial crop in [[Hawaii]] from the 1900s. The Hawaiian-produced macadamia established the nut internationally.
[[Image:Macadamia integrifolia, buds.jpg|left|thumb|''Macadamia integrifolia'' flowers]]
The macadamia tree is usually propagated by [[grafting]], and does not begin to produce commercial quantities of nuts until it is 7–10 years old, but once established, may continue bearing for over 100 years. Macadamias prefer fertile, well-drained soils, a rainfall of 1,000–2,000 mm, and temperatures not falling below 10°C (although once established they can withstand light frosts), with an optimum temperature of 25°C. The roots are shallow and trees can be blown down in storms; they are also susceptible to ''[[Phytophthora]]'' root disease. Outside of Australia, commercial production is also established in [[Hawaii]], [[South Africa]], [[Brazil]], [[California]], [[Costa Rica]], [[Israel]], [[Kenya]], [[ Bolivia]], [[New Zealand]] and [[Malawi]]. Australia is now the world's largest commercial producer - at approximately 40,000 tonnes of nut in shell per year.
The macadamia nut's kernel is extremely hard to mine out of its shell (it requires about 300 [[Pound-force per square inch|psi]] or 2000 [[Pascal (unit)|kPa]] to crack), but after some time in a warm and dry place the shell may develop big cracks. The nut can be opened then with a screwdriver, though the warm dry conditions also reduce the nutritional value of the nut. The shell is most easily cracked with a metalworking bench [[Vice (tool)|vice]], but care must be taken not to crush the kernel in the process. The nuts can be opened simply by locating the seam line on the shell (This seam line can be located by looking carefully at the shell) and placing a knife blade on the line and tapping with a hammer. The shell will open and allow the nut to be removed whole. A safer and quicker alternative is to use a Ratchet style PVC pipe cutter. Place the cutter blade on the seam line and ratchet it closed—the shell will split and allow the nut to be removed. When nuts have dried for a period of time the kernel will fall out (with green or fresh nuts the kernel may stick in the shell). The nuts can also be smashed open with a hammer or heavy solid kitchen tool or simply opened using a ratchet style nutcracker. Boiling the nuts for a few minutes in a pot until the nuts rise to the surface is also a good way as it causes the nuts to crack. Nuts of the "Arkin Papershell" variety, cultivated by retired stockbroker [[Morris Arkin]], each have a blemish or small crack somewhere on the shell, and the shell will crack open readily if left for a few days, or if struck properly with a hammer.
Fruit fact: If Macadmia Nuts are heated it can affect the quality of the nut.<ref>[http://www.echonet.org/eln&herbs/eln_catalog/fruittreesM.htm Fruiting Trees, Shrubs, and Herbaceous Plants: Macadamia ''Macadamia tetraphylla''], ECHO (echonet.com). Accessed [[5 June]] [[2007]].</ref>
[[Image:Chocolate-covered macadamia nuts.JPG|thumb|Chocolate-covered macadamia nuts]]
[[Macadamia oil]] is prized for containing approximately 22% of the Omega-7 [[palmitoleic acid]],<ref>{{Languageicon|de|German}}/{{Languageicon|en|English}} [http://sofa.bfel.de/], Federal Research Centre for Nutrition and Food (Bundesforschungsanstalt für Ernährung und Lebensmittel (BfEL)).</ref> which makes it a botanical alternative to [[mink oil]], which contains approximately 17%. This relatively high content of "cushiony" palmitoleic acid plus macadamia's high oxidative stability make it a desirable ingredient in cosmetics, especially skincare.
Macadamia nuts form the [[Staple food|staple diet]] of the [[Hyacinth Macaw]] in captivity.<ref>{{cite web | author=Kashmir Csaky | year=2001 | url=http://www.bluemacaws.org/avi18.htm | title=The Hyacinth Macaw. | format= | work= | publisher= | accessdate=15 May | accessyear=2007 }}</ref> These large [[parrot]]s are one of the few animals, aside from humans, capable of cracking and shelling the nut.
Macadamia nuts are toxic to [[dog]]s. Ingestion may result in macadamia nut [[toxicosis]], which is marked by [[weakness]] with the inability to stand within 12 hours of ingestion. Recovery is usually within 48 hours.<ref>[http://www.aspca.org/site/DocServer/toxbrief_0402.pdf?docID=115 "Macadamia nut toxicosis in dogs"], Steven R. Hansen, DVM, MS, DABVT. ASPCA.org. Reprinted with permission from the April 2002 issue of ''Veterinary Medicine''. Accessed [[5 June]] [[2007]].</ref>
The trees are also grown as [[ornamental plant]]s in subtropical regions for their glossy foliage and attractive flowers.
''Macadamia'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] species including ''[[Batrachedra|Batrachedra arenosella]]''.
Macadamia nuts are often used by law enforcement to simulate [[crack cocaine]] in drug stings.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20041224/ai_n12573039 "Nuts! Cops use holiday treat in drug sting"], Chicago Sun Times, December 24, 2004. Accessed [[21 November]][[2007]].</ref> When chopped, the nuts resemble crack cocaine in color.
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
*[http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/online-resources/flora/stddisplay.xsql?pnid=2524 Flora of Australia: ''Macadamia'']
*{{APNI | name = Macadamia F.Muell. | id = 46142}}
* [http://sres.anu.edu.au/associated/fpt/nwfp/macanut/macanut.html Australia's most delicious bush nut]
[[Category:Australian Aboriginal culture]]
[[Category:Bushfood]]
[[Category:Edible nuts and seeds]]
[[Category:Proteaceae]]
[[Category:Proteales of Australia]]
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[[ru:Макадамия]]