Edible Plants of the World

Cape nutmeg

Cape nutmeg

A tropical plant. It grows naturally in thick monsoon forest near freshwater streams. It is often on moist organic soils in sandstone country. They need deep, well drained soils. It requires ample moisture. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 450 m altitude. In Townsville palmetum.

Also known as:

Tukutturukuni

Edible Portion

Where does Cape nutmeg grow?

Found in: Australia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG

Notes: There are about 88 Horsfieldia species.

Status: This species is being grown commercially in Darwin, Australia for its edible seeds.

Growing Cape nutmeg

Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed. The seed should be sown fresh.

Edible Uses: The kernel of the fruit is eaten raw.

Production: In Australia, trees flower from August to October and fruit from November to January (January to March).

Nutrition Info

per 100g edible portion

Edible Part Energy (kcal) Protein (g) Iron (mg) Vitamin A (ug) Vitamin c (mg) Zinc (mg) % Water
Kernel 570 11 4 - - 2.2 3.6

Cape nutmeg Photos

Cape nutmeg Cape nutmeg Cape nutmeg Cape nutmeg Cape nutmeg

References

Borrell, O.W., 1989, An Annotated Checklist of the Flora of Kairiru Island, New Guinea. Marcellin College, Victoria Australia. p 109

Brock, J., 1993, Native Plants of Northern Australia, Reed. p 223

Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 200

Cooper W & Cooper W T, 1994, Fruits of the Rain Forest. RD Press p 166

Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 332

Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1990, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 5. Lothian. p 377

Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 142

Jones D, L, 1986, Ornamental Rainforest Plants in Australia, Reed Books, p 225, 340

Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 134

Norrington, L., & Campbell, C., 2001, Tropical Food Gardens. Bloomings Books. p 89

Tiwi Plants and Animals. 2001, Aboriginal flora and fauna knowledge from Bathurst and Melville Islands, northern Australia. Northern Territory Botanical Bulletin; No. 24 p 60

Townsend, K., 1994, Across the Top. Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch Inc. p 258