This tree has an upright greyish trunk with wrinkled bark and spreading branches that form a rounded crown. It has glossy dark green leathery leaves and the tube-shaped cream flowers appear in a pendant cylindrical cluster in summer followed by edible fruit.

Hardiness zones 9 to 12

Athertonia diversifoliais naturally found in Australia growing in wet rainforests in northern Queensland from sea level in the Daintree lowlands to an altitude of 1,200 m (4,000ft) in the Atherton tablelands.

It prefers a well-drained organic rich, loamy soil and grows in an open sunny to semi shaded protected position and is frost and drought tender.

The Atherton Oak is grown for its foliage and edible fruit. It is planted in parks and large gardens as a specimen tree or used along water courses in rainforest settings. It is suitable for coastal and low-mountain regions, establishing in 3-5 years and is long lived. This tree is also cultivated for is edible fruit and when young it may be used as a container plant.

Under cultivation the tree tends to be smaller and the fruit produces an edible kernel that may be eaten raw or roasted and is used in cakes or biscuits.ID 3287

Athertonia (AH-ther-TOH-nee-ah) diversifolia (dy-VER-see-FOH-lee-ah)

Proteaceae (pro-tee-AY-see-ee)
Protea Family