Common Name: Sweet Quandong

General Information

Sweet quandong is a very variable, erect, evergreen shrub or small tree growing from 1 - 10 metres tall, with spreading to pendent branches and sparse pale to olive green foliage[, ]. A root hemi-parasite, it obtains water and nutrients from host plants growing close by and does not grow well in the absence of a host[].
A favoured food of the native Aborigines, the fruit is becoming increasingly popular to a wider audience and is being cultivated and sold in speciality stores[]. At least one cultivar has been developed with a much higher quality fruit[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Australia - all mainland states.

Habitat

Sandy soils in the dry interior, also in loamy and clay soils[, ]. Grows in a range of woodland communities, on sandy sites to gravelly ridges[]. Found in wide variety of habitats characterised by generally nutrient poor, free draining soils[]

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Sweet quandong is mainly found in drier subtropical lowland areas, it just finds its way into the tropics. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 25°c, but can tolerate 5 - 40°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -2°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at 0°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 250 - 400mm, but tolerates 125 - 500mm[].
Prefers a position in full sun[]. Grows naturally in a generally nutrient poor, free draining soil[]. Plants are quite drought and salt tolerant[]. Prefers a pH in the range 7 - 8, tolerating 6.5 - 8.5[].
A semi-parasitic plant, obtaining some of its nutriment from the roots of other plants[]. The plant has green leaves containing chlorophyll, and is thus able to photosynthesize - it relies on host plants only for water and soil nutrients, not for sugars, which it can produce itself []. In a natural situation, the plant seems to rely on nitrogen fixing trees such as Acacia and Casuarina, though it is known to parasitize many other legumes, shrubs, herbs and grasses[]. It normally has more than one host at a time[].
Quandong saplings need to be planted within range of the roots of at least two potential hosts[]. Ensure a few metres distance between any surrounding trees so its natural form isn't spoilt and make sure it has a full sun[]. It is critical to maintain the health of host species for the Quandong to perform. Theoretically, this means all plants within at least 10 metres of the Quandong because its roots can reach that far[].
There are some named cultivars[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , ]. A thin, acid flesh[]. A sweetish flavour[]. Eaten raw when fully ripe, it is also used as a pie filling, or made into jams, jellies, sauces, syrups and chutneys[]. It can be dried for later use, and is said to taste nicer once dried[, ]. The globose fruit is 15 - 25 mm long, bright shining red, rarely yellow[].

Seed - roasted[]. Oily and nutritious, but not very palatable[, , ]. The seed contains 60% oil and 25% protein[].

Medicinal

Provides a liniment for use on sores, boils etc[].

Other Uses

The bark contains up to 18% tannin[].

The seed is rich in oil and burns like a candlenut[, ].

Wood - hard, heavy, close-grained. It is used for making furniture etc[]. The wood is oily and makes a good friction stick for making fire[].

Propagation

The seed has a dormancy that is strongest in fresh seeds[]. Storing the seed for 12 months raises the germination rate from about 5% to nearer 30%, whilst three year old seed has around 35% germination rate[].
As with many hard seed coated species, the testa needs to be broken in order to induce germination. This can be easily, though carefully, done with a vice[].
Sow the cracked seed into an appropriate media and keep moist[]. Germination should occur within a month but may take up to four months[]. The optimum temperature for germination is 15°c[].
When the cotyledons have hardened, pot the seedling into free draining media with half strength combined slow and moderate release fertiliser. Seed energy reserves will sustain growth until the roots have established[].
At this point it is recommended to make a host available. Using one that dominates the pot or crowds the seedling is not advisable because the Quandong has some uptake from its roots and may be outcompeted. Sowing Clover (Trifolium spp.) seed or planting Couch Grass (Cynodon dactylon) cuttings into the pot when transplanting the seedling has proven to be successful, however care is needed as these species can be weedy. The use of a locally indigenous grass or Pea flowering plant is advised[].

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