Elaeocarpus bancroftii

The species was first formally described by botanists Ferdinand von Mueller and Frederick Manson Bailey in 1886, based on plant material collected on the Johnstone River.[2]

E. bancroftii is a tree growing up to 30 m (98 ft) and a bole diameter of 60 cm (24 in)[3][4] with bushy dark green foliage. Like many other trees in the genus, the leaves turn bright red before falling.[1][5] The flowers are large and showy,[5] occurring from March to June,[6] and are followed by large, dull grey/green, globular drupes about 30–40 mm (1.2–1.6 in) in diameter containing a single seed with a very hard, thick endocarp.[1][3]

E. bancroftii is endemic to north east Queensland, growing in well developed rainforest from near Cooktown southwards to about Tully and from near sea level to 1,200 m (3,900 ft).[1]

Australian aborigines ate the seeds, although the very hard shell required them to use stones to crack them open. These special "nut stones" were sometimes left under the tree.[1] The 1889 book 'The Useful Native Plants of Australia' records that "The cotyledons or 'kernels' have a good flavour, and are eaten by the settlers. Other species of Elaeocarpus have fruits which are more or less useful in this respect. Johnstone River, Queensland."[7] Fallen fruits are also eaten by cassowaries and the seeds are eaten by native rats,[3] (notably the Giant White-tailed Rat, Uromys caudimaculatus), after chewing its way through the hard shell.

The plant is sold as an ornamental and shade tree.[8][9]