Macadamia tree

Macadamia is a plant genus within the family of the silver tree plants (Proteaceae). Macadamia ternifolia, the macadamia tree, is an evergreen tree or shrub that can reach a height of up to 15 metres. Originally from Australia, the plant is now widespread throughout the South Pacific region, as far as South Africa. The fruit of the tree, the macadamia nut, is 2 to 3 cm large and looks very similar to the chestnut. It is surrounded by a hard shell.

Macadamia ternifolia is the parent plant of macadamia ternifolia seed oil, the macadamia (seed) oil, which is obtained from the nuts by cold pressing. It is used for nutritional and cosmetic purposes.