The generic name Exocarpos was more commonly spelled Exocarpus in the past.

Common Name: Native Cherry

General Information

Exocarpos cupressiformis is an erect, evergreen shrub or a small tree with a rounded or a pyramidal crown; it can grow up to 8 metres tall. The leaves are small and scale-like, with most photosynthesis being carried out by the green stems. The bole is generally 15 - 25cm in diameter, but can reach 60cm near the Victoria and New South Wales border. The plant spreads by means of underground suckers, often forming clumps[, , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

One report says that the foliage might be poisonous[].

Botanical References

,

Range

Australia - Tasmania, southeastern South Australia, Victoria, eastern New South Wales, southeast Queensland

Habitat

Found in various soils in Eucalypt forest and woodland[]. Sandy soils on dry hillsides[]. Usually found in dry Eucalypt woodland in rocky situations, though it is also found in wetter forests and heathland[]

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	4.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Exocarpos cupressiformis is native from the temperate forests of Tasmania to the subtropical regions of southeastern Queensland.

A major difficulty if trying to cultivate this species is that, although it photosynthesizes much of its own nutrients, it is also semi-parasitic on the roots of other plants, notably Eucalyptus species. Seeds germinate fairly easily, and cuttings will usually root successfully, but the seedlings and cuttings usually die unless they have root access to a host plant. Exocarpos species generally cause very little harm to the host plant.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or made into preserves[, ]. The fruit is sweet and palatable when fully ripe, but is rather astringent before this[, , ]. The orange-red to red, obovoid to ellipsoid fruiting receptacle is 4 - 6mm long[].
The edible, fleshy, fruit-like structure is actually an enlarged, succulent section of the flower stalk (receptacle), beyond which the seed and true fruit protrude[, ].

Medicinal

The stems are astringent and bitter tonic[]

Other Uses

The bark contains up to 15% tannin[, ].

The wood is hard, tough and close-grained but generally only available in small dimensions. A handsome wood, it is used especially for turning and cabinet making, being made into tool handles, spokes, gun stocks, cornice poles, map rollers, and to a limited extent for engraving. In areas where the trees reach larger dimensions, the wood is used for making chairs[, , ]. It was used traditionally for making gurrecks (spear-throwers)[].

Propagation

Propagation and establishment of species in this genus is difficult due to the semi-parasitic nature of the plant. Some success has being achieved in propagation from both seed and cuttings, but the plants generally do not survive once planted out[].
Sowing the seed in situ near where potential host plants are growing, and protecting the seed with an upturned glass or plastic container would be worth a try. Alternatively, try sowing the seed in a pot where a small potential host is growing - the main disadvantage to this is that the two plants will be in very close proximity and the Exocarpos could be outcompeted.