Macadamia: from the Australian forest to Hawaii and back

Long before the industrial garden

The Sydney Botanic Garden lists native macadamia species as native to eastern Australia. Edible species were used and traded by indigenous cultural groups. Thus, the beginning of the product's history does not coincide with the European botanical description or the first commercial planting. The plant had a local history of use, which is important to preserve alongside the usual narrative of the industry's development.

Hawaiian stage

At the end of the 19th century, the plants came to Hawaii. Queensland leaders attribute the early use of trees there to protective plantings for sugar cane, after which a commercial nut industry developed. Moving a plant in itself does not create sustainable production: suitable sites, propagation of planting material, tree care and harvesting are needed.

Reverse movement of varieties

A historical guide from 2004 shows the following twist: Australian gardens have long used forms developed in Hawaii and then combined them with local breeding. This is an example of an exchange that cannot be depicted with a single arrow on a map. The homeland of the plant, the place where the garden form was selected and the place where the crop was grown can be different parts of the same story.

World culture and a small natural area

Sydney botanists specifically focus on threats to natural populations: habitat loss and fragmentation, weeds and other impacts. A common commodity does not mean that the original forest plants are protected. When reading about macadamia, it is useful to distinguish between commercial plantings and conservation of natural diversity. These are two related tasks, each with its own methods and participants.

Sources

• Plant of the Month: Macadamia tetraphylla, September 2023 — Botanic Gardens of Sydney
• Macadamia grower’s handbook: Before you start (2004) — Queensland Department of Primary Industries