Sour Currant Bush, Native Currant
Leptomeria acida
Family: Santalaceae
What it is like
A small shrub. It grows 1.5-2 m high and spreads 1-2 m wide. It is partly parasitic on other plants. The small branches are angular but do not have spines. The leaves are very small and reduced to scales. The flowering stalks are 4 cm long. The flowers are very small. They are yellowish-brown. The fruit are 0.6-0.8 cm long and green. They are fleshy and acidic. The fruit turn red when ripe. There is one seed.
There are 17 Leptomeria species. They grow in Australia.
Where it is found
It is a warm temperate to subtropical plant. It can grow in coastal heath and open forest. It needs well drained soil. It can grow in sun or light shade. They can stand heavy frost.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin), Tasmania
How it is used for food
The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked with sugar and made into jam or jelly. The green unripe fruit can be used.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed. Plants grow attached to other plants.