Exocarpos strictus

Exocarpos strictus, with common names pale-fruit ballart, pale ballart, and dwarf cherry,[1][2] is an adaptably versatile erect shrub bearing cherry-like fruit, that forms dense thickets, that is native to parts of Australia (including Tasmania). E. strictus was described by botanist Robert Brown in 1810.

Exocarpos strictus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Santalales
Family: Santalaceae
Genus: Exocarpos
Species:
E. strictus
Binomial name
Exocarpos strictus
Occurrence data from AVH

Branches and leaves

Though often hairy early on, E. strictus'  branches typically become fine and vertical; occasionally they become either stout or long (rarely above 3.5 m) and bending downward with the weight of their foliage and/or fruit.[2]

Its leaves are 1 – 3 mm in length, caducous, linear, subulate, and vary in color from light green to a bluish-green, and ashy to bronze[2]

Flowers

The flowers of E. strictus grow in little pedunculate or sessile clusters numbering 2–6. They have 4 or 5, triangular, tepals that measure about 0.5 mm long. The pedicel is 2–7 mm long, succulent, broadly obovoid, and colored either mauve, red, or white.[2]

E. strictus flowers all year round.[3]

Fruit

The fruit of E. strictus superficially resemble stunted cherries. They are drupes measuring 2.5 – 4 mm, are ovoid or globose, shiny, and green to purple-black in coloration.[2]

Distribution and occurrence

E. strictus grows in great numbers in all but the very wettest and driest of habitats ranging from heathland to open forests to denser woodland.[3]

It is common in Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory[2]

References
  1. "Australian Plant Names Index". Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  2. B. Wiecek (1992). "Exocarpos strictus Herbarium Sheet". PlantNET - The Plant Information Network System of Botanic Gardens Trust, Sydney, Australia. Retrieved 18 May 2009.
  3. Percival St. John, Grimwade Plant Collection. "Factsheet - Exocarpos strictus". Dr Alison Kellow, Dr Michael Bayly, Prof. Pauline Ladiges. University of Melbourne. Retrieved 18 May 2009.
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