Native Cherry, Exocarpos cupressiformis, also known as Cherry Ballart, is a fruit bearing plant indigenous to East coast forests of Australia. Native Cherry is a hemiparasitic (partly parasitic) small tree or large shrub, to 8 m high, most commonly grown along roadsides close to eucalyptus trees which it evidently uses as hosts. Exocarpos cupressiformis is the best known and most distributed species.

Exocarpos cupressiformis has the general visual aspect of a conifer with attractive, elegant, weeping foliage of yellowish-green to dark green in color. Leaves are minimized to small triangular scales; 2-3 mm long on new growth and the stems is the site where photosynthesis takes place.

Flowering is throughout the year but primarily October-May. Flowers are small, cream-yellow in color, unnoticeable, arranged in clusters on 6 mm long spikes, followed by the fruit. ; Usually, only 1 flower in each spike fertile.

Native Cherry Fruit

The fruit of the Native Cherry is a spherical nut on a short stalk. As it matures the stalk swells and turns red, like an inside out cherry. The fruit is edible, juicy, roundish 5-6 mm long, commonly bright red. The seed is found on the outside of the fruit, hence the name exocarpus.

Native Cherry Propagation Methods

Tree Propagation and establishment is difficult due to the parasitic nature of the plant. The hard seed is difficult to germinate. Exocarpos cupressiformis is a member of the Santalaceae family the genus Exocarpos.

Native Cherry, Exocarpos cupressiformis

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