Desert quandong, Sweet Quandong
Santalum acuminatum

Family: Santalaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It has an upright growth habit. It grows to 5-8 m high. It forms clumps in dunes due to underground suckers. The leaves are yellowish-green. They are leathery and slightly sickle shaped. The fruit are attractive, round and succulent. They turn bright red when ripe. They have a red outer skin surrounding a hard outer kernel which can be cracked open to reveal a nut. The nuts are edible. The fruit are 2-4 cm across. They have a single seed.

There are 25 Santalum species. The seeds are 25% protein. The fruit are rich in Vitamin C.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to Australia. It grows naturally in sandy soils in the drier interior regions of Australia. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 900 m altitude. In the Inland Botanical Gardens Mildura. They are grown commercially near Quorn, South Australia. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw or cooked. They can be dried for later use. They can be used for jam and pies, syrups and chutneys. The seeds or nuts are eaten roasted. The seed kernel is 60% oil.

They are an attractive fruit. They are cultivated commercially occasionally.

Edible parts

Fruit, kernel, nuts, oil

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. They grow as a parasite on other roots.

Its other names

Local names

Burn-burn, Dumbari, Guwadhaa, Quandong, Mangata, Native peach, Tatu, Wayanu, Western quandong

Synonyms

Eucarya acuminata (R. Br.) Sprague & Summerh.; Fusanus acuminatus R. Br.; Mida acuminata (R. Br.) Kuntze; Santalum venosum;