It is most important in the Bismarck Archipelago and on the islands and mainland of Milne Bay Province. This tree grows from sea level to 400 m in altitude in coastal and near coastal locations, usually near villages or in woody regrowth. The nut is not popular outside the islands where it is commonly grown and the prospects for commercial development appear only moderate. Sea almond is widespread in most coastal regions of the New Guinea mainland and islands. It is usually confined to beach areas and village sites near the beach but occasionally grows to 400 m altitude.
Most trees are self sown.
In most of PNG, the nuts are eaten only by children or not at all. However, it is most important in the islands of the Milne Bay Province where it is eaten by both adults and children. The production period occurs between November and March with December to February the most commonly reported period. Prospects for commercial development appear to be reasonably good, particularly if cultivars with soft shells and large kernels, such as are found on the island of Iwa in the Marshall Bennett Group, are used. Any claims made by authors in the Australian New Crops Newsletter are presented by the Editors in good faith.