Athertonia diversifolia

[Pedro 65]

Australia has tons of Proteaceae, and i would like to introduce you to a very stunning rainforest proteaceae called Athertonia Diversifolia or Atherton Oak.

We planted a lot of these around 18 years ago, they seem to like it best with in a raiforest type planting in the deep red volcanic soils which imitates their natural environment of the Atherton Tablelands in far Nth Queensland. Our trees are now over 15mtrs and finally starting to fruit which produces an edible almond. This tree of course is related to the famous Macadamia tetraphylla which is native from the rainforests here in Nth New Sth Wales to Mt Tambourine in Queensland. ( No its not from Hawaii, but it was grown there on a commercial scale long before Australia started planting them. So heres a few pics of the Stunning Athertonia Diversifolia which is still rarely encounted in most gardens in Australia.

Colourful Large Foliage

Topside of leaf 700mm x 300mm

Underside of leaf

colours galore

Fruits that will be blue when ripe

Athertonia grows very open, enabling palms etc close by to still do well

[aussiearoids]

Foliage to rival a Breadfruit !

Pretty certain I have 1 of these .

[Pedro 65]

Foliage to rival a Breadfruit !

Pretty certain I have 1 of these .

Ours are all thanks to Yuruga at Walkamin, as is all our Nth Qld Rainforest Trees.Foliage is like a Breadfruit, but colourful.

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

That is outstanding! Most Protaceae won't grow here in Florida, but Macadamia will, so I'm wondering if this will also.

[Peter]

That is a cool plant!

[Cindy Adair]

Even blue fruit! What's not to like? Another for my wish list...

[Pedro 65]

Jerry, Peter, and Jude, Yes this one of many spectacular Australian Rainforest Proteaceae. Jerry, I cant grow the West Aust proteaceae ( Banksias) as its too wet and humid for them here as it would be you in Florida.. But good news Jerry, Rainforest proteaceae enjoys lots of rain and humidity. I will post in the coming week more beautiful Rainforest proteaeace that we are growing here and should grow easily at yours. Musgravea heterophylla , Darlingia Darlingia, Darlingia Ferruginea , Hicksbeachia pinnatafolia and Grevillia Baiyana to name a few ALL have spectacular foliage and ALL come from the wet humid rainforests and all grow into tree not shrubs. I will post pics soon of above mentioned growing here. Jude, i know your a seed fein, I will gladly send you some seed when they are ripe . Heres another pic of a branch of Athertonia filling a gap.

[ariscott]

Nice one.... have to find one when I go to Cairns next. Thanks Pete.

Regards, Ari

[Pedro 65]

Nice one.... have to find one when I go to Cairns next. Thanks Pete.

Regards, Ari

Here they take a while to establish and really like overhead cover for the first few years as those massive leaves can easily burn when young, a must have tree though Ari, they always look a picture of health.

[peachy]

Thanks for posting this, I have never heard of them but the foliage is gorgeous. I cant grow proteas to save myself here, but the old macadamia plods merrily on, so I might have a hope of growing one, if I ever find one. Alternatively, what days ARENT you home, so I can turn up with a spade and plastic bags.

Peachy

[Pedro 65]

Thanks for posting this, I have never heard of them but the foliage is gorgeous. I cant grow proteas to save myself here, but the old macadamia plods merrily on, so I might have a hope of growing one, if I ever find one. Alternatively, what days ARENT you home, so I can turn up with a spade and plastic bags.

Peachy

:D Good one Peachy, Yes as I mentioned above Peachy theres a LOT of VERY Beautiful Rainforest Proteaceae , the flowers really vary but they ALL have spectaular foliage. I will post some moe R proteaceae soon. ps make sure the bags are heavy duty so you can fit more in. Pete

Heres another RProteaceae i posted b4, Very large leaves like athertonia is "Musgravea Heterophylla" (Briar Silky Oak) very rarely cultivated but very stunning.

[ThunderSRQ]

Is anyone selling seeds (or seedlings) either already in the U.S. or ones that can be shipped here?

[ThunderSRQ]

Sorry -- I had this topic on my computer from earlier in the day and the page didn't refresh until I sent that last message. Pedro -- please add my name to the list for some seeds, when available (any of the very large-leafed varieties).

Thanks,

Tim

[Pedro 65]

Sorry -- I had this topic on my computer from earlier in the day and the page didn't refresh until I sent that last message. Pedro -- please add my name to the list for some seeds, when available (any of the very large-leafed varieties).

Thanks,

Tim

Tim, the Athertonias are Fruiting now, i will get you some for you when they are ready, i will keep an eye on the other Rainforest Proteaceae. Pete

[Peter]

Hey Pete, please put me down for a few seeds if there are any left-thanks!

[Pedro 65]

Hey Pete, please put me down for a few seeds if there are any left-thanks!

Will do.

[Mike726]

Hi, I am also in Florida (Tampa area) and would love some seeds of the big leaf varieties when available if someone could notify when they are ready for sale.

Thanks,

Mike

[aussiearoids]

Just got 3 of these .

[Pedro 65]

Just got 3 of these .

Excellent Michael, A very beautiful rainforest proteaceae thats for sure, all best with them

Mike and Peter, which 1 of you did I send seed too ? and Tim ( Thunder) they have pea size fruits on now so another few months and seed will be ready.

Pete

[Kostas]

What an awesome tree species! Great work you have it growing there Peter!!!

[Peter]

Not me! :-)

[Kostas]

Haha

Did you get to grow it? How do you find it in requirement and cold tolerance? I read it tolerates a light frost.

[The Silent Seed]

Put me down for some too, please!

[Pedro 65]

Peter, pm me yr address in a "few months", they will need o/head protection in Cali, they do even here for the 1st few yrs.

Kostas, they are a true Rainforest Proteaceae and not "easy grows" and hardy like Stenocarpus and Grevillia robusta etc and the adore "deep red volcanic soil"

Jude it would be far too cold in Massachusetts for Athertonia.

Herees 1 in flowers a few mnths ago.

Pete

[The Silent Seed]

Pedro,

You obviously don't know this yet; but I have a rare plant business and grow everything inside a plant house - so I would love to try these.

[Pedro 65]

Pedro,

You obviously don't know this yet; but I have a rare plant business and grow everything inside a plant house - so I would love to try these.

Well Jude, Ive only "ever" seen your posts with "word" and no pics , so if your" really keen" for some seed, pls post a few pics 7 to 10 of inside your plant house, I'd love to see it, thanks in advance Pete

[The Silent Seed]

Hi Pete,

I'm totally with you there! I have been trying to post pictures on here for a while (long time!) but the photos seem to be "too big" and I, a tech challenged guy, am not sure how to get around that.

I will try again shortly! I know you aren't the only one who has wanted to see my set up.

Best, Jude

UPDATE - I just got one posted in the photo forum - I have no idea why some photos work, and others are too big...

Trying one here now… ugh…. it says too big (of the plant house.)

Why would photos taken with the same camera, same settings, uploaded the exact same way… be different sizes? UGH!

Edited June 16, 2015 by santoury

[The Silent Seed]

I guess Photobucket is the way to go then.

Taking photos of my plant house is not a priority, so I will have to take new ones; but for now; here are two older photos showing a general idea of the space. The photos were taken in the middle of moving plants inside two falls ago, hence the upheaval. If you are curious about the range of plants that I grow - feel free to visit my website; thesilentseed.com (This is not a sales pitch - just sharing the enormous variety of plants that I grow, that you will find surprising.)

http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/thesilentseed/library/?view=recent&page=1

Edited June 16, 2015 by santoury

[Liliana Prem Gayan]

Hi there! Although this topic on Athertonia diversifolia is not a recent one, I would like to get more information about it, intrigued as I am by the appealing looks and promising taste of its nuts.

How to get the nuts?

seedlings?

Thanks for all the valuable information, Pedro!

[happypalms]

On 10/22/2011 at 7:36 PM, Pedro 65 said:

Australia has tons of Proteaceae, and i would like to introduce you to a very stunning rainforest proteaceae called Athertonia Diversifolia or Atherton Oak.

We planted a lot of these around 18 years ago, they seem to like it best with in a raiforest type planting in the deep red volcanic soils which imitates their natural environment of the Atherton Tablelands in far Nth Queensland. Our trees are now over 15mtrs and finally starting to fruit which produces an edible almond. This tree of course is related to the famous Macadamia tetraphylla which is native from the rainforests here in Nth New Sth Wales to Mt Tambourine in Queensland. ( No its not from Hawaii, but it was grown there on a commercial scale long before Australia started planting them. So heres a few pics of the Stunning Athertonia Diversifolia which is still rarely encounted in most gardens in Australia.

 

Colourful Large Foliage

Topside of leaf 700mm x 300mm

 

Underside of leaf

colours galore

Fruits that will be blue when ripe

Athertonia grows very open, enabling palms etc close by to still do well

A top Australian tree I have heard about your garden is it near nimbin