Exocarpos syrticola
(F. Muell. ex Miq.) Stauffer
Coast Ballart
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Summary
Source: WikipediaExocarpos syrticola (common name coastal ballart, coast ballart) belongs to the sandalwood plant family (Santalaceae). It is a species endemic to Australia and found on the coastal fringes of Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia. It was first described in 1856 by Ferdinand von Mueller as Exocarpos strictus var. syrticola, and given species status in 1959 by Hans Ulrich Stauffer.
Description
A small shrub. It is erect, green and leafless. It grows 1-2 m high. It spreads up to 3 m wide. The branches have rounded ridges and very narrow grooves. The leaves are reduced to small scales which stay on the plant. The flowers are very small. They are in clusters in the axils of leaves. The fruit are 5 mm across and pink and succulent at the base and have a purple 'seed' on top.
Edible Uses
The fruit are edible.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. It grows in heaths on sand. It can also be on coastal cliffs. Tasmania Herbarium.
Where It Grows
Australia*, Tasmania*,
Cultivation
Plants are hard to propagate. Seed need to be sown fresh and possibly with a grass host.
Notes
There are about 26 Exocarpus species.
References (11)
- Curtis, W.M., 1993, The Student's Flora of Tasmania. Part 3 St David's Park Publishing, Tasmania, p 628
- Elliot, W.R., & Jones, D.L., 1992, Encyclopedia of Australian Plants suitable for cultivation. Vol 4. Lothian. p 271
- Gott, B & Conran, J., 1991, Victorian Koorie Plants. PO Box 666 Hamilton, Victoria 3300, Australia. p 31
- Harris, S., Buchanan, A., Connolly, A., 2001, One Hundred Islands: The Flora of the Outer Furneaux. Tas Govt. p 157
- Howells, C & Gulline, H., 2003, Coastal Plants of Tasmania. Plant Identikit. Australian Plant Society, Tasmania. p 28
Show all 11 references Hide references
- Low, T., 1991, Wild Food Plants of Australia. Australian Nature FieldGuide, Angus & Robertson. p 136
- Low, T., 1992, Bush Tucker. Australia’s Wild Food Harvest. Angus & Robertson. p 50, 54
- Morley, B.D., & Toelken, H.R., (Eds), 1983, Flowering Plants in Australia. Rigby. p 233
- Tasmanian Herbarium Vascular Plants list p 53
- Whiting, J. et al, 2004, Tasmania's Natural Flora. Tasmania's Natural Flora Editorial Committee PO Box 194, Ulverstone, Tasmania, Australia 7315 p 310
- Zola, N., & Gott, B., 1992, Koorie Plants Koorie People. Koorie Heritage Trust. p 13
