Native nutmeg
Myristica insipida, Fam. Myristicaceae
A large, spreading tree, 10-20m high, with a horizontal branching habit.
| Weed Category: | |
| Weed: | No |
| Form or habit: | Large Tree |
| Family: | Myristicaceae |
| Leaf: | Oval to oblong, smooth, leathery, thin textured, glossy dark green above, paler with raised midrib beneath, 10-21 x 3.5-8cm. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
Cream |
| Flower description: | Separate male and female trees, flowers cream, about 0.5cm long, borne in clusters in the leaf axils. March to May. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Brown, Yellow |
| Fruit: | |
| Fruit description: | Egg shaped to oblong, dull brown yellow, 3-4 x 1.5-2cm, shell thick and leathery, opening to reveal a large brown seed wrapped in a bright red aril. |
| Habitat: | Gallery (riverine or riparian) forest, rainforest, vine thicket. |
| Distribution | Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia, New Guinea. |
| Food source for: | Seed eaten by the Torres Strait and nutmeg pigeons. |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | Australia, New Guinea. |
| Notes: | A slow growing tree needing some supplementary watering. A very good shade tree for larger properties. Thought to be a suitable alternative to nutmeg. Propagate from fresh seed. |
| Information sources: | Atlas of Living Australia (2022) Myristica insipida R.Br., Townsend K. & the Society for Growing Australian Plant Townsville Branch Inc. (1994) Across the Top: Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. |
