Moreton Bay Chestnut (Castanospermum australe)

Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Other common names include Morten Bay Chestnut, Morton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean Chestnut. Moreto Bay Chestnut or Castanospermum austral is a tropical, evergreen tree of about 18-35 m tall and 5-12 m width with an erect trunk, grey to brown smooth bark, and glossy dark green leaves. The flowers are pea-shaped, yellow to orange in colour and form into clusters.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

tastes like a sweet chestnut. — The fresh raw seed contains high levels of saponins and can be harmful.; The cooked seed tastes like a sweet chestnut.; It probably requires considerable leeching before it is safe to eat.; The Australian aborigines finely sliced the seeds and soaked them in running water for 10 days before roasting them and grinding them into a powder.

Habitat & North American Range

Subtropical and tropical gallery-type rainforests and on the banks of creeks, usually in good rich moist soils. (Zone 8)