Bush Tucker Plants
Moreton May Chestnut
(Black Bean)
Plant DescriptionBotanical name: Castanospermum australeCommon names: Black Bean, Moreton Bay Chestnut. The first common name refers to the appearance of the fruit, a large woody pod to 200 mm long which at maturity is brown, but goes black on the ground after some time. The second refers to the chestnut taste of the treated seeds. This is a large majestic rainforest tree, common in the rainforests of Queensland and northern NSW. It bears clusters of red and yellow flowers in spring or early summer. The large leaves have numerous dark green leaflets which are about 120 mm long. The plant is in cultivation. In gardens it forms a spreading shade tree and flowers prolifically. UsageThe starchy seeds of this tree are poisonous, but were eaten by the aborigines after considerable preparation.The Moreton Bay Chestnut seeds were cracked and soaked in water, then pounded , and made into cakes, and finally roasted. The washing in water removes some of the soluble toxins, while roasting destroys other toxins. The plant is not used in modern bush tucker preparations. Some who have tried the treated product described it as tasteless. |
Moreton Bay Chestnut flowers . Moreton Bay Chestnut leaf (with leaflets), fruits (pods) and large seeds. |
