ABSTRACT
This chapter provides the information on uses, folk medicine, chemistry, germplasm, distribution, ecol-ogy, cultivation, harvesting, yields, energy, and biotic factors of Moreton Bay Chestnut. Australian aborigines processed the seeds for food. Of its edibility, Allen and Allen8 say, "The edibility of the roasted seed of C. australe, often equated with that of the European chestnut, has been overestimated. Commonly cultivated in Australia in home gardens and as a street tree, this species is well known in the timber trade as Black Bean. Around Sydney, Australia, they have become popular as a house plant for short term decoration. Australian cattle fatalities are reported from grazing the fallen seed during dry periods. Reported from the Australian Center of Diversity, Moreton Bay chestnut, or cvs thereof, should tolerate some salt. Native to the tablelands of northeast Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales. Introduced into Sri Lanka ca. 1874. Introduced and surviving as far as 35°S in Australia.
