Scientific Name: Sterculia quadrifida

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  • Pronunciation:
    stir-CULE-ee-ah quad-RIFF-ee-dah
  • Common Name:
    Peanut tree
  • Derivation:
    Sterculia: L. Sterculius, the Roman god of dung-heaps and privies. (refers to bad smell of flowers of some species)||quadrifida: L. quadri - four, fidus - split (calyx split into four lobes)
  • Type:
    Tree
  • Family:
    STERCULIACEAE
  • Flowers:
    Greenish, bell-shaped in racemes amongst leaf whorls; separate male and female flowers on same plant. Perfumed. Summer.
  • Fruit:
    Follicle orange red large and peanut-shaped, splitting into two segments. Seeds numerous, silky black, edible.
  • Vegetation Type:
    Dry and sub-tropical rainforest, often amongst rocks.
  • Species List:
    Kennilworth Fig Tree Walk, Stratford Park, Bush food, Bush medicine, Craft, Community Gardens, NNP service road, Cooloothin Corner, Old Tewantin, Mill Point, Upper Yandina Creek, Kin Kin Arboretum
Cultural Notes

TAKE CARE! Some information about bush foods and medicines may be anecdotal. Correct identification and preparation is essential:

Bark has strong fibres used in the preparation of twine.

Bush food: Aborigines ate the peanut-flavoured seeds raw or roaster after removing the black skin. The large, matt black seeds are delicious, the kernel tasting like a cross between a macadamia nut and a peanut.

Bush medicine: leaves crushed and applied to wounds. Infusion of bark used for eye complaints. Heated leaves pressed on stings.

Identification Notes

Sometimes slightly buttressed. Semi-deciduous. Branchlets finely wrinkled with scattered lenticels. Terminal buds scaly. Leaves in pseudo whorls. Blade soft and thin, bright green. Venation distinct and raised below. 5-12 cm. Petiole 1-5 cm.||

Landscaping Notes

Landscaping potential in suitable areas. Successfully propagated by Noosa & District Landcare.||Pretty foliage and lemon-scented flowers.||Propagation is from seed, ripening in summer and germinating easily. It will tolerate a range of conditions provided the soil is well drained.||Successfully propagated by Coolum Community Native Nursery.|||Successfully propagated by Florabunda Bushcare nursery, Woombye|Successfully propagated by Mooloolah Native Nursery||Successfully propagated by Barung Landcare||