Coast Ballart
Exocarpos syrticola
Family: Santalaceae
What it is like
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.
There are about 26 Exocarpus species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in heaths on sand. It can also be on coastal cliffs. Tasmania Herbarium.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin), Tasmania (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants are hard to propagate. Seed need to be sown fresh and possibly with a grass host.