Quandong
Santalum acuminatum
Family: Santalaceae
What it is like
Santalum acuminatum is an evergreen Shrub. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0
Where it is found
Sandy soils in the dry interior, also in loamy and clay soils.
Australia - all mainland states.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Fruit - raw or cooked. It can be dried for later use. Seed. Oily and nutritious, but not very palatable.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 1
Provides a liniment for use on sores, boils etc.
Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.
Other
Rating:
The bark contains up to 18% tannin. The seed is rich in oil and burns like a candlenut. Wood - hard, heavy, close-grained. It is used for making furniture etc. The wood is oily and makes a god friction stick for making fire.
Friction sticks: Used for starting fires when there are no matches.
Tannin: An astringent substance obtaied from plants, it is used medicinally, as a dye and mordant, stabilizer in pesticide etc.
Wax: Used for making candles etc.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
How it is grown
A root parasite.
Propagating it: Seed -
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist