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 Edit this 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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