Santalum murrayanum

(Mitch.) C. Gardner

Bitter quandong, Ming

Santalaceae Edible: Kernels, Bark, Nuts 247 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Santalum murrayanum, commonly known as the bitter quandong, is an Australian plant in the sandalwood family, Santalaceae. The Noongar name for the plant is coolyar. It bears a bitter fruit, from which a common name derives, in contrast to congener Santalum acuminatum - sweet quandong. The plant is also known as Ming. It occurs in a hemi-parasitic relationship with the roots of several other plants, in a non-destructive way, as with all the species of the genus Santalum. The shrub or small tree typically grows to a height of 1 to 5 metres (3 to 16 ft). It blooms between October and January producing white to yellow-green flowers. It is found on sandplains and dunes and has a scattered distribution through the Wheatbelt, Great Southern and Goldfields-Esperance regions of Western Australia where it grows in sandy or gravelly lateritic soils.

Description

A small tree. The leaves droop. The flowers are small and in panicles in the axils of leaves. The fruit are brown and bitter. The stone in the fruit only has slight pits. They grow attached to the roots of other plants.

Edible Uses

The root bark can be eaten after roasting.

Traditional Uses

The bark of the roots is roasted.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate and subtropical plant. They grow in low to moderate rainfall areas in South Australia.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

Not known

Propagation

Propagate by seed.

Other Uses

None known Special Uses

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Kernel	2.3	—	—	24.4	—	—	—	—

Synonyms

Fusanus persicarius F. Muell.Eucarya murrayannum

References (15)

Bindon, P., 1996, Useful Bush Plants. Western Australian Museum. p 221
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 908
Boomsma, C.D., 1972, Native Tree of South Australia. Woods & Forests Department South Australia, Bulletin No.19. p 215
Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 190
Clarke, P. A., 2013, The Aboriginal Ethnobotany of the Adelaide Region, South Australia. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia. (2013), 137(1): 97-126

Show all 15 references

Cribb, A.B. & J.W., 1976, Wild Food in Australia, Fontana. p 140
Dashorst, G.R.M., and Jessop, J.P., 1998, Plants of the Adelaide Plains & Hills. Botanic Gardens of Adelaide and State Herbarium. p 50
Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 321 (As Fusanus persicarius)
Holliday, I., 1989, A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Hamlyn. p 292
Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 211
Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 74
Lord, E.E., & Willis, J.H., 1999, Shrubs and Trees for Australian gardens. Lothian. p 20
Low, T., 1991, Wild Food Plants of Australia. Australian Nature FieldGuide, Angus & Robertson. p 178
Paczkowska, G . & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Calatogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 527
Zola, N., & Gott, B., 1992, Koorie Plants Koorie People. Koorie Heritage Trust. p 27