Palefruit native-cherry, Pale-fruit Ballart, Dwarf Cherry
Exocarpos strictus
Family: Santalaceae
What it is like
A shrub. It is bluish-green and has many branches. It grows 1-1.5 m high. The branches are usually rigid and erect. They have sharp ridges along them which are also rough. They are almost leafless. The leaves are small. They are 1-3 mm long and only on young shoots. The flowers are very small. They occur in clusters along the branches. They are greenish-yellow. The fruit are pale red. They have a succulent base and a round green 'seed' on top. This is about 5 mm long.
There are about 26 Exocarpus species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in sand in scrub and heath near shores. Tasmania Herbarium.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin), Tasmania (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed. Seed do not grow easily.
In Victoria it flowers August to November.
Its other names
Local names
Ballat, Bulliyang, Bullyang, Mirrii, Nyora, Pallert