Candlenut

Botanical Name: Aleurites moluccanus

Common Names: Candlenut, Kukui, Indian Walnut

Candlenut is a fast-growing tropical tree that makes a great addition to a Perth food forest. It has large, heart-shaped leaves that provide excellent shade and mulch. The nuts are famous for their high oil content and are a staple in South East Asian cooking. Related to macadamia.

Features:

Ideal prune height range: 4-6m

pH growing conditions: 5.0 to 7.0

Shade or full sun: Full sun to part shade

Minimum pot year 5: 75L pot

Time to fruit age: 3-5 years from seed

Candlenut trees love the heat and grow very quickly once established. In Perth, they appreciate a spot protected from frost while young. They produce clusters of small white flowers followed by hard-shelled nuts. These trees are tough and can handle a variety of soil types as long as they get regular water during summer.

Interesting Notes:

The nuts are traditionally used to thicken satay sauces and curries. They have so much oil that they can be lit and used as natural candles. Never eat the nuts raw as they are toxic until roasted or cooked.

Limited stock. Pickup from Parkwood, WA. Delivery to Perth Metro only.

Keywords: Candlenut, Aleurites moluccanus, tropical nut tree Perth, rare fruit tree, edible forest tree