Native Cherry - Santalaceae Exocarpus exocarpus

Family: Santalaceae

Genus: Exocarpus

Species: exocarpus

Eatable Part: Fleshy Fruit

Height: 5 Meters

Habit: Tree

Habitat: 0W, MW, Riverene / SFR, Monsoon Vine Thicket, Coastal

Distribution:

Tropical & Eastern Australia and Southeast Asia

Description

This plant is extremely common right across the savanna landscapes and is actually a root parasite. It has glaborous leaves with very tiny hairs. It's lush appearance can be striking against the otherwise drier looking plants. The fruit are distinctive and have the seed below the fleshy part. Ovary superior; stigma sessile. Fruiting receptacle swollen below drupe, succulent, maturing yellow or red, obovoid, 5-8 mm long; drupe coriaceous, ellipsoid, 5-10 mm long.

Tasting Notes

The fleshy part of the fruit can be eaten and is also loved by birds.

Growing at Home

Once eaten by birds, these pop up easily and can also be propagated by seed.