Macadamia ternifolia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Macadamia ternifolia |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Artist L. Becker | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Macadamia
|
| Species: |
ternifolia
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Helicia ternifolia F.Muell. |
|
The Gympie Nut (scientific name: Macadamia ternifolia) is a type of tree that belongs to the flowering plant family called Proteaceae. It's also known as the small-fruited Queensland nut. This tree is originally from Queensland, Australia.
Sadly, the Gympie Nut is listed as a vulnerable species. This means it's facing a high risk of becoming extinct in the wild if we don't protect it.
Contents
About the Gympie Nut Tree
The Gympie Nut tree is usually a small tree. It often has many stems and can grow up to 8 meters (about 26 feet) tall. Imagine a tree that's about as tall as a two-story building!
What the Leaves Look Like
The leaves of the Gympie Nut tree are quite interesting. They grow in groups of three, like a small fan, on a short stalk. Each leaf is long and narrow, measuring about 9 to 12.5 centimeters (3.5 to 5 inches) in length. They are also about 2 to 3.5 centimeters (0.8 to 1.4 inches) wide.
The leaves feel stiff and leathery. Their top side is a dull green, while the underside is a lighter color. The edges of the leaves are slightly wavy, and they come to a point at the tip. You can easily see the main vein (midrib) on the underside of the leaf.
Flowers and Fruit
The Gympie Nut tree produces simple flowers on a stem that can be 5 to 18 centimeters (2 to 7 inches) long. The flowers have pink parts called tepals, which are about 6 to 8.5 millimeters long.
After the flowers bloom, they develop into fruit. These fruits are round or slightly oval-shaped. They are about 14 to 22 millimeters (0.5 to 0.9 inches) long and wide.
Inside the fruit, you'll find the seeds, which are the nuts! These seeds are mostly round and measure about 16 millimeters (0.6 inches) long and 12 millimeters (0.5 inches) wide. They have a smooth shell that is about 1 millimeter thick.
Where the Gympie Nut Grows
This special tree is native to Queensland, Australia. It grows naturally in this region, which means it's been living there for a very long time. Protecting its natural home is important for its survival.
