a sweet white nut that grows on a tropical tree, or the tree that produces this nut (John Macadam (1827-65), Australian scientist). Any of about 10 species of ornamental evergreen trees, in the family Proteaceae, and their edible, richly flavoured dessert nuts. Macadamias originated in the coastal rainforests and scrubs of northeastern Australia. Those grown commercially in Hawaii and Australia are principally of two species, the smooth-shelled Macadamia integrifolia and the rough-shelled M. tetraphylla. Macadamias are grown in quantity also in parts of Africa and South and Central America. Hard to propagate and slow to bear fruit, the trees grow only in rich, well-drained soil in areas receiving 50 in. (130 cm) of rain annually. Fragrant pink or white flower clusters on trees with large, shiny, leathery leaves produce bunches of 1-20 fruits. The nuts contain much fat but are a good source of minerals and vitamin B
{i} evergreen tree native to Australia; edible hard-shelled seed of the macadamia tree
nutlike seed with sweet and crisp white meat small Australian tree with racemes of pink flowers; widely cultivated (especially in Hawaii) for its sweet edible nuts