Broad-leaved native cherry, Misletoe tree, Broad-leaved Ballart
Exocarpos latifolius

Family: Santalaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 4-8 m high. It spreads 3-6 m across. It has very dark green shiny leaves. The leaves are egg shaped. They are 1.5-7 cm long by 1.5-7 cm wide. They are leathery and have veins along them. The flowers a very small and cream. They are arranged in spikes. These can be 1.2 cm long. The fruit are 8 mm long and red. The fruit have a base or stalk which swells and turns bright red when ripe. This plant grows as a parasite on the roots of other plants.

There are about 26 Exocarpus species.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. It can grow in coastal sand dunes and in mountains near the coast. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 900 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), East Timor, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Timor-Leste, Torres Strait

How it is used for food

The fruit and seed are sometimes chewed with betel leaf. The ripe fruit stalk is eaten. It is juicy and sweet.

Edible parts

Fruit, stalk

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Agsum, Ballat, Blaping, Cedana semut, Kamiing, Kamoneng alas, Murinyini, Nulkngawakbunbun, Oringorin, Thidirr, Uksur

Synonyms

Exocarpus luzonensis (Presl.) A. DC.; Exocarpus ovatus Blume; Xylophyllos latifolius (R. Brown) O. Kuntze;