Moreton-bay Chestnut

Moreton-bay Chestnut, a genus of plants so named because of the supposed resemblance in form and qualities of the seeds to the sweet chestnut of Europe. Castanospermum australe is the only species of the genus known. It belongs to the sub-order Papilionaceæ of the natural order Leguminosæ, and is a native of Queensland, Australia. The tree grows to the height of from 70 to 100 feet, with spreading branches clothed with pinnate leaves about a foot long. The flowers—bright yellow, and red—are succeeded by cylindrical pendulous pods of a bright brown colour, 6 to 8 inches long generally, containing about four seeds each, which are roundish but somewhat flattened on one side. Though likened to the sweet chestnut, they are much inferior in delicacy of flavour, being very astringent; but they are somewhat improved when roasted.