This small tree has a solitary or multiple trunks from the base with sparse branching and forms a narrow crown. It has glossy dark green divided leaves and the small reddish star-shaped flowers appear in a pendent raceme from winter to early spring.

Hardiness zones 10 to 12

Hicksbeachia pinnatifolia is naturally found in Australia from the Bellinger River in northern New South Wales to Springbrook in Queensland growing in the understory of subtropical rainforest where it regenerates by suckering a in disturbed sites. 

It prefers a shaded to semi-shaded protected position and grows in well drained organic rich moderately fertile moist sandy-loam to light clay soil that is tending acidic and is drought tender but light frost tolerant.

The Red Boppel Nut is grown for its edible fruit and its unusual growth habit.  It is planted in parks and botanical collections as a specimen for use in a rainforest setting. It is also used in the gully plantings commonly associated water courses or a water feature and when young it is grown as a potted indoor plant, tolerating low light conditions. It is suitable coastal regions and establishes in 3-4 years and is long-lived. The tree has edible fruit but it is not commercially cultivated and the tree may be difficult to obtain requiring a specialist nursery. ID 3756

Hicksbeachia (hiks-BEECH-ee-a) pinnatifolia (pin-AT-ee-FOH-lee-a)

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