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Exocarpus cupressiformis - Labill.

Common Name Native Cherry
Family Santalaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards One report says that the foliage might be poisonous[154].
Habitats Sandy soils on dry hillsides[154]. In eucalyptus forests to the montane zone[152].
Range Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Exocarpus cupressiformis Native Cherry


Exocarpus cupressiformis Native Cherry

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Exocarpus cupressiformis is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft 1in). It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit stalk - sweet and palatable when fully ripe, astringent otherwise[144, 154, 193]. It is eaten raw or made into preserves[2]. Rather small, it is about 4 - 6mm long[193].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent  Bitter  Tonic

Astringent, bitter tonic.

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Tannin  Wood

The bark contains up to 15% tannin[154]. Wood - hard, tough, close-grained. Used for turnery, furniture etc[46, 154].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in this country. It is likely to require a light well-drained soil and a sunny sheltered position. It is a root parasite, we do not know which species it parasitizes. Plants spread by means of underground suckers, often forming clumps of seemingly disparate trees and shrubs[193].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but would recommend sowing it in spring in a warm greenhouse in a pot that contains a suitable host.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Exocarpus aphyllus Shrub3.0 -  LMNDM21 
Exocarpus bidwillii Shrub1.0 -  LMSNM20 
Exocarpus latifolius Shrub0.0 -  LMSNDM20 
Exocarpus nanus Shrub0.0 -  LMSNDM20 
Exocarpus odoratus  0.0 -  LMHSNM00 
Exocarpus sparteus  0.0 -  LMHSNM00 
Exocarpus strictusPale BallartShrub4.0 -  LMSNDM20 
Exocarpus syrticolaCoast Ballart 0.0 -  LMHSNM00 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Labill.

Botanical References

154

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

maria o'brien   Mon Oct 30 2006

I have seenthis tree growing in granitic soils at Girraween NP (near Qld/NSW border, cold climate)and on similar soils at Undara NP (dry Tropics), so it will cope with wide climatic variation.The soils are acid.A list of eucalypts found growing these soils would provide a list of possible hosts.

   Thu Jul 2 2009

what would be a good host plant for this plant

morgan phillips   Thu Sep 3 2009

In Central Victoria this plant grows amongst Manna gum, grey and yellow Box, 'stringy bark' and others - just use rotting native plant material with natural white fungus in amongst it and watch it grow! 4 to 5 metres in ten years.

Simon Jones   Sat Nov 7 2009

Also present in the Adelaide Hills

Stan Osman   Sun Nov 8 2009

The fruit is ripe at the moment in the mountains near Walhalla, Victoria. I was tasting some 2 days ago and have been checking the internet to make sure they are not toxic. Quite sweet. We also have these growing on our bushy block in Park Orchards,a Melbourne Eastern Suburb, but the trees are not as large as in Gippsland and I have not noticed them fruiting in Melbourne. Are they found in Tasmania?

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Subject : Exocarpus cupressiformis  
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