Scientific Name: Floydia Praealta
Common Name: Ball Nut
Indigenous Use
Seed kernel was treated to remove the bitter taste and then eaten.
When to Use
Floydia praealta generally produces seeds in late autumn to early winter. In Australia, this would typically be from April to June.
Identification
Leaves: The leaves of Floydia praealta, commonly known as the Ball Nut, are large, pinnate, and compound. Each leaf can be up to 1 meter long, comprising numerous leaflets that are elliptical to lanceolate, measuring between 10-20 cm in length and 2-6 cm in width. The leaflets are dark green and glossy on the upper surface with a lighter green underside (Australian National Botanic Gardens, 2024; Plants of the World Online, 2024).
Bark: The bark of Floydia praealta is grey and smooth in younger trees, becoming rough and fissured as the tree matures. The tree can grow to a height of up to 30 meters and often has a straight trunk with a spreading canopy (Australian National Botanic Gardens, 2024).
Flowers: The flowers of Floydia praealta are small, white to cream, and are arranged in large, panicle inflorescences. Each flower has five petals and measures about 1-2 cm in diameter. The flowering season typically occurs in spring and early summer (Plants of the World Online, 2024).
Fruit: The fruit of Floydia praealta is a large, globular nut, approximately 4-5 cm in diameter. The nuts turn from green to brown as they ripen and contain a single large seed. The fruiting period is usually in late summer to autumn (Australian National Botanic Gardens, 2024; Floridata, 2024).
Ecosystems
Found in the below ecosystem/s.
Rainforests: Sub-tropical rainforests usually consist of three strata of trees with up to 60 species making up the canopy, many with large leaves. Palms and strangler figs are common and the undergrowth is luxuriant with many epiphytic or terrestrial ferns and orchids and abundant large climbers of many species. In Queensland, rainforests can be found in well-known locations like the Daintree Rainforest, Lamington National Park, and Mary Caincross Park.
References
Australian National Botanic Gardens (2024). Floydia praealta. Available at: https://www.anbg.gov.au/floydia-praealta [Accessed 24 June 2024].
Plants of the World Online (2024). Floydia praealta. Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid
.org:names:932718-1 [Accessed 24 June 2024].
Floridata (2024). Floydia praealta. Available at: https://www.floridata.com/Plants/Proteaceae/Floydia-praealta/836 [Accessed 24 June 2024].
Leiper, G., Glazebrook, J., Cox, D., & Rathie, K., 2008. Mountain to Mangroves: A Field Guide to the Native Plants of South-east Queensland. Logan River Branch, Society for Growing Australian Plants.