• Home
»
• Plant of the Season
»
• Autumn
»
• Gevuina avellana Mol.

Click on image for larger view

Easily accessible at the top of the Brunet Meadow, near the entrance to the Forest walk, is a specimen of Gevuina avellana, the Chilean hazelnut. Here, you may have to do a crane impression to see the few flowers perched aloft. Similarly, on the lower side of the front driveway entrance to the Gondwana Walk, a shy flowering is mostly hidden from our view. But for garden enthusiasts who specialise in orienteering a cluster of three bushes covered in blossom stand waiting in Fuegian bed 165c. Below the Brunet Pavilion and above 'Conifer Species' marked on your map.

Central and southern Chile, in the "subantarctic rainforests" of the coastal lowlands and Andean foothills is this plant's natural home. Edible seed is similar to macadamia nuts but with the advantage of an easy-peel shell. In Chile the nuts, known as "avellanas" (hazelnuts), are roasted, eaten raw or pureed. Our bushes are yet to crop.

Having a preference for a cool-climate, as opposed to the more tropical macadamias from Queensland, the Chilean Hazelnut is an appealing addition to the product range of many nut producers. Its crop potential is under investigation in Chile and other temperate locations including New Zealand where, Dr Stephan Halloy tells me, 20,000 plants may be sold this year. So, it's early days in the commercial life of this species where root rot fatalities are also a problem. But, as a botanic garden, we can offer you the chance to become acquainted with this gem of a plant before the tasty nuts become the next 'must have' kitchen ingredient.

Need to know more about nuts? Our Autumn adventure trail focuses on nuts and culminates in The Mountain Nut Festival, here at Mount Tomah, from 12 to 18 May.

Jan
Allen Garden Information Officer