Contact

Is a Macadamia nut really a seed, or a nut?

Submitted By: 
Jessi

There are not many true nuts. Nuts are found in the order Fagales, with oaks, acorns, chestnuts, hornbeam, and Hazels producing nuts. The confusion about nuts is that the use of the term by botanists is different than the use of the term for culinary, or food-related applications. Most people incorrectly apply the term nut to any seed with a large oil kernel found within a hard shell, but if the hard shell opens and the seed is not fused to the hard ovary "shell," then it is not a nut. Most of what people call nuts are not true nuts (like macadamia nuts, walnuts, pecans, peanuts, pine nuts, etc.) This is like when people call a tomato a vegetable when it is actually a fruit, specifically a berry. So in short, a macadamia nut is actually a seed.

Macadamia nut image by MorePix

Have a different answer or more to add to this one? Send it to us.

View Citation

You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."

Bibliographic details:

  • Article: Is a Macadamia nut really a seed, or a nut?
  • Author(s): Dr. Biology
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: May 12, 2017
  • Date accessed: September 27, 2024
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/questions/macadamia-nut-really-seed-or-nut

APA Style

Dr. Biology. (2017, May 12). Is a Macadamia nut really a seed, or a nut? . ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved September 27, 2024 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/questions/macadamia-nut-really-seed-or-nut

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

Dr. Biology. "Is a Macadamia nut really a seed, or a nut? ". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 12 May, 2017. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/questions/macadamia-nut-really-seed-or-nut

For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/04/

MLA 2017 Style

Dr. Biology. "Is a Macadamia nut really a seed, or a nut? ". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 12 May 2017. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 27 Sep 2024. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/questions/macadamia-nut-really-seed-or-nut

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/
Macadamia nut image, links to Top Question page

See more top questions

Be Part of
Ask A Biologist

By volunteering, or simply sending us feedback on the site. Scientists, teachers, writers, illustrators, and translators are all important to the program. If you are interested in helping with the website we have a Volunteers page to get the process started.

Donate icon  Contribute

 

Share to Google Classroom